Note to Editors: Please find an English soundbite by Cllr Jacqui Uys here
Today, the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Tshwane has raised the alarm regarding the City of Tshwane’s finances. Our concerns start with the R859 million growth in the City’s deficit since the ANC/EFF/ActionSA coalition took office. This, despite claims from the Deputy Executive Mayor, the ANC’S Eugene Modise, that the City’s financial woes are over.
In June 2024, to clear a R3 billion deficit, the City adopted a funding plan with clear targets.
A Finance Committee report showed that the implementation of our funding plan yielded a positive collection rate for the 2024/2025 financial year. It contributed positively to the City’s collection rate to the tune of R315 million by the end of September 2024 when the DA left office. Unfortunately, at the end of April 2025, under the ANC government, this has declined to R859 million under target, a -19% deviation.
This puts a serious question mark on the current government’s claims that they have a funded budget for the 2025/2026 financial year and poses a significant risk to the financial future of the City. What is clear, is thatthe City does not in fact have the funds it claims to have.
The City’s expenses are more than its income and instead of playing open cards with communities, the current government gives the impression that the City is financially stable, with Mayoral Committee Members claiming progress.
It has further been reported to the City’s Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC) that the City, at the end of March 2025, had outstanding debtors of R5.7 billion.
On the 4th of June 2024 the DA-led government in the City of Tshwane adopted a Mayoral Charter for financial recovery in the City’s council, this charter has not been revoked and the DA calls on the ANC government to implement it, and move the City towards financial health.