After fierce opposition to the approval of the new budget for Metsimaholo Local Municipality, finally it passed the test. Last Friday, Municipal Council passed the budget for the financial year 2023/2024.
Presenting the budget Executive Mayor Jeff Zwane said the budget aims at fast tracking service delivery and bringing better services for Metsimaholo residents.
“The Budget also aims at not only promoting but also attract businesses that will invest and contribute to job creation and sustainability,” said the Executive Mayor.
He emphasized that this year’s budget speaks to good governance, transparency and accountability. The budget will address core service delivery challenges and ensure the residents of Metsimaholo receive services.
Outlining the budget, the Executive Mayor pointed out that the total operating revenue for 2023/24 financial year is R1,790 billion, which is an increase of R229 million from last year. The total Capital budget for 2023/24 financial year is R204 million which indicates a decline of R34.8 million compared to the previous adjusted budget.
As also outlined in the budget, the Municipality’s free basic services program currently is intended to support 13 000 indigent households with 6kiloliters of free water, 50kilowatt of free electricity, free sanitation, and free waste removal, as well as R50.00 subsidy on property rates. Of those 13 000, our indigent register currently stands at 10 738, whilst the budget caters for 13 000 indigent households.
The percentage increase in Eskom bulk tariffs has increased to 18.7% compared with last
year’s 17.8% to municipalities. Based on the Eskom increases, our customer tariff has
increase by 15,1 %, as from the 1st of July 2023.
The Municipality did apply to NERSA for revised tariffs. The property rates, waste removal and sanitation tariffs will increase by 5,3%.
R119 million has been allocated for repairs and maintenance of infrastructure. Out of that
total, it will be spent as follows:
• Electricity infrastructure has been allocated R36,6 million, part of these funds will
be catering for the following critical matters:
➢ Upgrading of street lighting and high mast lights, networks in Sasolburg,
Deneysville and Oranjeville.
➢ Installation of High Mast lights in Themba Khubeka.
➢ Installation of diesel generators in Deneysville and Oranjeville abstractions
points and WTW
➢ Fencing of Eletrical Substations in Zamdela, Sasolburg, Deneysville and
Oranjeville.
➢ Replacement of substation doors in all towns
An amount of R30,1 million has been allocated for Road Infrastructure, the following will be the
focus:
➢ Re-sealing of roads in Sasolburg and Vaalpark
➢ Re-sealing of roads in Zamdela
➢ Re-sealing of roads in Deneysville and Oranjeville
➢ New gravel roads in Zamdela Extensions, Refengkgotso, Themba Khubeka
and Metsimaholo.
The budget also caters for the following:
• Themba Khubeka electrification for R29 780 000
• Oranjeville Wastewater Treatment Plant for R10 617 000
• Oranjeville water treatment plant phase 2 for R10 000 000
• Refengkgotso Wastewater Works for R9 000 000
• Construction of 2000 toilet structures Phase 1, R 12 500 000
Community services has been allocated R5 000 000 for a landfill site and R1 000 000 for
a lowbed truck. An amount of R500 000 has been allocated for the Fire Department call
centre system.
