The Tshwane City Council has approved Mayor Nasiphi Moya’s budget, with coalition parties hailing it as a crucial step toward stabilizing the metro’s finances. A key feature of the budget is the introduction of a R194 monthly cleansing levy for properties using private waste collection services.
Coalition Parties Welcome “Fully Funded” Budget
ActionSA, a key coalition partner, praised the budget as a “major win for residents” and a sign of progress for South Africa’s capital. Party leader Herman Mashaba called it the city’s first fully funded budget since 2021, achieved without borrowing from financial institutions.
“When we took over this city 18 months ago, it was practically bankrupt,” Mashaba said in an interview. “This multi-party government, led by ActionSA and the EFF, has turned things around by prioritizing service delivery and financial discipline.”
Focus on Service Delivery and Law Enforcement
The budget allocates funds for:
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200 new metro police officers (the first appointments since 2015).
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Insourcing of cleaners and security personnel.
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Road repairs and township infrastructure upgrades.
Mashaba criticized the previous DA-led administration for neglecting townships, claiming the new coalition ensures equitable service distribution.
Controversial Cleansing Levy
The new R194 levy targets properties with private waste services, ensuring they contribute to municipal landfill costs. Mashaba defended the move, accusing the DA of previously shielding affluent areas from similar charges.
“Everyone must pay their fair share,” he said. “The DA only cared about suburbs while townships were left behind.”
Johannesburg Budget Dispute
Meanwhile, ActionSA has withdrawn support for Johannesburg’s budget over the ANC-led coalition’s refusal to scrap a R200 electricity surcharge. Mashaba accused the ANC of reneging on an agreement to remove the fee, which ActionSA calls “legalized extortion.”
“We vote on an issue-by-issue basis, and this betrayal means we cannot endorse this budget,” he stated.
National Lottery Controversy
On the National Lottery Commission’s licensing debacle, Mashaba said ActionSA is reviewing the matter but withheld further comment pending a party assessment.
Looking Ahead
The Tshwane budget signals a shift toward fiscal recovery, but challenges remain in Johannesburg, where coalition tensions threaten governance stability.
For now, Mashaba remains optimistic: “This is proof that when coalition partners work together, cities can thrive.”