Mogale City: ANC minority unable to pass a budget

After running a campaign to make Mogale City unworkable, and subsequently taking over the Mayorship though dubious means, the ANC was unable to pass its own budget. This leaves residents and creditors in an uncertain position.

Yesterday the Mogale City Council sat for the purpose of adopting its budget for the 2017/18 financial year, but this did not happen due to the ANC minority Council being unable to achieve a 50%+1 quorum, which is required when passing a budget.

The fact that the ANC cannot pass a budget emaphasises our point that it should not be leading the council nor is it fit to bring about much-needed change to the municipality.

In the short time that the DA-led coalition governed Mogale City, we were able to stabilise the finances of the municipality in order to ensure that quality services are delivered and jobs are created. The DA-led coalition, under the harshest of political circumstances, was able to, through good governance:

Draft a deficit-free budget that requires approval;

Save a projected R300 million, which would have gone to service delivery and job creation;

Reduce the amount owed by Mogale City to creditors of R450 million from the previous ANC-run council to R220 million;

Ensure a revenue of R2,7 billion including capital transfers and contributions;

Realise a R130 million in savings in the adjustment budget for 2016/2017

With the ANC barely at the helm of Mogale City, the residents are guaranteed to see a regression of service delivery and creditors can expect late or no payment.

The DA, along with its coalition partners, are working to ensure that the people of Mogale City get a government that puts their needs ahead of politics. The ANC cannot be trusted with the future of Mogale City or its resources.

Statement issued by John Moodey MPL, DA Gauteng Provincial Leader, 8 July 2017