The Democratic Alliance (DA) yesterday voted against Emthanjeni’s budget, which was pushed through without the municipality first adequately addressing serious service delivery concerns raised by communities.
This comes as residents of De Aar, Hanover, and Britstown continue to endure severe water shortages, ongoing sewage spillages, and deteriorating infrastructure. After years of denial, the municipality itself this week acknowledged residents’ concerns regarding persistent water supply challenges in De Aar and surrounding areas.
The municipality must ensure that the budget meaningfully addresses service delivery and infrastructure backlogs, and that these plans are properly communicated before additional financial burdens are imposed on communities without adequate consultation.
Given that millions of rand in additional provincial funding have been made available for the repair and maintenance of bulk water and sanitation infrastructure in Emthanjeni, transparency regarding operational priorities and funding allocations is even more critical.
The DA will notify the MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass, of Emthanjeni municipality’s failure to ensure adequate public engagement on the budget. The municipality also failed to make the budget readily accessible at municipal offices, on the municipal website, and at the library, as required, thereby undermining proper public participation.
We will further intensify oversight of municipal spending and continue to push for regular and transparent committee processes to monitor water and sanitation allocations.
The water and sanitation crisis in Emthanjeni affects the entire community. Solutions must therefore be properly deliberated with residents to ensure that every cent is directed towards restoring water and sanitation services, rather than further undermining access to these basic rights.