EKURHULENI, Gauteng – Ending a period of intense legislative gridlock, the City of Ekurhuleni has successfully adopted its R70-billion spending plan for the 2026/27 financial year. The critical vote, which took place mere days before the fiscal deadline, ensures the metro avoids administrative takeover while setting the stage for future service delivery and economic stability.
The final tally saw 176 council members greenlight the massive fiscal framework. However, the passage was far from unanimous. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) mounted a strict opposition, with all 31 of their representatives casting dissenting votes. An EFF spokesperson declared a total rejection of the framework, arguing that the metro was not looking at a genuinely “new budget.” The opposition party criticized the proceedings, asserting that rival factions were merely prioritizing their own political maneuvering over substantive governance.
Defending the fiscal roadmap, the ANC and its coalition partners maintained that the blueprint effectively bridges the gap between strict economic stability and the urgent need for municipal services. A spokesperson for the governing alliance highlighted that heavy emphasis has been placed on infrastructure repairs and routine maintenance. They cautioned against extreme fiscal measures, noting that a municipality cannot simply “cut its way into growth” nor can it recklessly spend beyond its financial capacity. The coalition insisted that the true objective is implementing a disciplined fiscal program designed to rebuild the metro’s operational credibility.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) ultimately aligned with the majority, but only after successfully negotiating crucial modifications to the original draft. A DA representative revealed that the driving force behind their engagement was the looming threat of Section 139 intervention—a scenario where the provincial government assumes control of the council’s administrative duties due to financial mismanagement or paralysis. To bypass this crisis, the DA proactively reached out to both the ANC and various minority factions to forge a working consensus.
This collaborative push was bolstered by a wide array of minority organizations, including Action SA, the Patriotic Alliance, the IFP, the PAC, the UDM, the AIC, and the ACDP. Spokespersons for these groups echoed the sentiment that allowing the fiscal deadline to lapse would invite severe civic instability and guarantee unwelcome provincial oversight.
At the helm of the metro’s executive leadership, Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza championed the finalized document as a strategic tool for balancing resident affordability with the imperative to upgrade local services and draw in external capital. Highlighting the region’s competitive edge, Mayor Xhakaza noted that the area currently features some of the most favorable property rates and taxes, positioning it as potentially the “cheapest municipality to stay” in the region. She framed this affordability as a major victory for local communities.
Looking toward the future, municipal leadership expressed strong confidence in their revenue forecasts, confirming that the adopted framework is entirely funded. Now that the legislative battles have concluded, the City of Ekurhuleni turns its attention to the practical execution of the 2026/27 budget, aiming to foster sustainable economic expansion and definitively steer clear of external administration.