Ekurhuleni delivers R65bn budget

By Thebe Mabanga

The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality has delivered a R65 billion no frills budget, with an improved credit rating and outlook, radically increased spending on maintenance as well as plans to get hostels and informal settlements to pay for the service they receive.

“From the outset, we seek to present a realistic budget outlook that can be practically implemented and monitored, taking into consideration the current state of our city’s environment,” finance MMC Jongizizwe Dlabathi said as he delivered the budget and the Medium-Term Revenue and Expenditure Framework.

Dlabathi noted that the budget spelt out how priorities announced by Executive Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza in this State of the City Address almost two months ago would be funded.

Ahead of the delivery of the budget speech, Xhakaza who recently survived a motion of no confidence, took to the podium to announce that the budget, the first under his multi-party coalition