By Charmaine Ndlela
Dr JS Moroka Local Municipality has approved a R1.072 billion budget for the 2026/27 financial year, with more than R181 million earmarked for water, sanitation, roads, electricity and the upgrading of Nokaneng Stadium, Siyabuswa in Mpumalanga
The municipality’s overall allocation increased by about 4% from the previous financial year, with a large portion of the budget funded through national government grants and subsidies.
Executive mayor Nomsa Sanny Mtsweni outlined the spending plans during her 2026 State of the Municipality Address (SOMA) at Ga Morwe Community Hall on Wednesday, placing service delivery, economic development and financial governance at the centre of the municipality’s agenda.
The largest infrastructure allocation, R81.4 million, is for water projects, including the rehabilitation, maintenance and expansion of water infrastructure.
Mtsweni said the municipality was making progress in replacing ageing asbestos pipelines, including the bulk water line from Pieterskraal to Wolvekraal Reservoir and the bulk line from Waltervrede Water Treatment Works to Kuilen Reservoir.
“These projects will enhance reliability and reduce water losses within the network,” Mtsweni said.
A further R44.8 million has been allocated to sanitation infrastructure as the municipality seeks to address infrastructure shortfalls caused by population growth and increasing development demands.
Roads and stormwater infrastructure will receive R32 million through the Municipal Infrastructure Grant, with ongoing maintenance including pothole patching, road blading and regravelling.
Recent work has been carried out in Phake, Seabe, Troya, Mthambothini and Maphotla.
The municipality has also allocated R10.355 million through the Integrated National Electrification Programme.
The funding will provide electricity connections to 213 households in Phake Phase 2 and 170 households in Madubaduba, while pre-engineering studies will be conducted for households in Skimming and Masobye/Diphalane.
Nokaneng Stadium will receive R12.5 million through the 2026/27 Capital Programme, with a further R14.5 million projected for the following financial year, bringing the potential total investment in the project to R27 million.
Mtsweni also highlighted efforts to boost local economic development and create opportunities for residents.
The municipality has approved a Local Economic Development Strategy for 2026 to 2031, aimed at providing a framework for economic development initiatives and investment opportunities.
More than 95 local businesses have benefited from a Community Business Capacitation Programme implemented in partnership with Provincial Treasury.
Employment programmes have also benefited 1,778 participants through the Expanded Public Works Programme and 1,147 through the Community Work Programme.
The municipality has set aside R2 million for an Economic Development and Cultural Show scheduled for March 2027. The event is expected to bring together small, medium and micro enterprises, cooperatives, informal traders and tourism product owners, while creating about 100 temporary jobs.
The municipality is also seeking to strengthen its position as a tourism and investment destination through updated tourism information, a tourism brochure and an online SMME database.
Mtsweni highlighted progress in the distribution of title deeds, with 1,149 already handed over to beneficiaries in Siyabuswa A, B and C.
Healthcare infrastructure was also highlighted, including the opening of the Troya Clinic in Ward 21, which is expected to serve about 4,960 residents.
Construction of the Lefiswane and Molapomogale clinics is under way, while the Siyabuswa Clinic is being upgraded into a health centre.
The municipality also welcomed the construction of Mokebe Secondary School in Senotlelo Ward 20.
However, Mtsweni acknowledged ongoing waste management challenges, noting that the municipality currently has only one operational compactor truck.
The municipality is implementing an Integrated Waste Management Plan, with targets for improved weekly refuse collection and the establishment and servicing of waste collection points in Ga-Phaahla.
The municipality is also strengthening support for vulnerable households through its Free Basic Services and Indigent Support Policy.
Under the 2026/27 Integrated Development Plan, it aims to complete a comprehensive review of its indigent register by 30 June 2027 and register 4,000 new indigent households each quarter.
Mtsweni acknowledged that financial management remains a challenge after the municipality received a qualified audit opinion.
She said the administration needed to improve its systems, internal controls, record-keeping, compliance and accountability.
“Our ultimate goal is not only to achieve a clean audit, but to build a municipality that manages public funds with integrity, delivers value for money, and earns the confidence and trust of its residents,” she said.
The municipality has embarked on a data-cleansing project to improve consumer and billing information and plans to introduce a bulk SMS notification system for municipal accounts during the 2026/27 financial year.
Mtsweni said financial sustainability remained a major challenge because Dr JS Moroka is a rural municipality with high unemployment and limited economic activity.
As a Grade 4 municipality, it remains largely dependent on transfers from the national fiscus.
The budget includes R535.672 million in Equitable Share, R158.449 million through the Municipal Infrastructure Grant, R20 million through the Water Services Infrastructure Grant, R10.355 million through INEP, R2.5 million through the Financial Management Grant and R2.492 million through EPWP.
Mtsweni said the administration wanted to leave behind stronger financial management, improved service delivery and a solid foundation for future administrations.
“We want to hand over a municipality with a clean audit, sound financial management, and a solid foundation upon which future generations can continue to build,” she said.
With the Local Government Elections scheduled for 4 November 2026, Mtsweni urged residents to participate peacefully and responsibly in the electoral process.
“As we approach the Local Government Elections, we must protect the democratic character of our communities. We call upon all residents to participate peacefully and responsibly while respecting the independence of the electoral process,” she said.
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