By Emily Setona
BETHLEHEM – After nearly five years of tabling unfunded budgets, the Dihlabeng Local Municipality has tabled what councillors described as its first funded budget during a council sitting held at Vogelfontein in Bethlehem on 28 May.
Executive Mayor Tseki Tseki presented the municipality’s 2026/27 budget, with the municipality tabling a total operational budget of R1.317 billion against projected revenue of R1.320 billion for the financial year, resulting in an operating surplus of approximately R2.5 million.
According to the budget tabled before council, the municipality has allocated R268 million towards capital expenditure, excluding internal funding.
The capital budget increased by R98 million from the original R169 million allocation, representing a 58% increase for the 2026/27 financial year.
New projects to be undertaken by the municipality have been allocated R269.4 million. Funding sources include R33.5 million from the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG), R25 million from the Water Services Infrastructure Grant, R200 million from the Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant, R8.9 million from the Integrated National Electricity Programme and R1.9 million for IT-related equipment.
Tourism-related events, including the Bethlehem Soul Festival, Picnic in the North and Dikgeleke, received an allocation of R750 000, while R1.5 million was allocated for the refurbishment of the Bethlehem swimming pool.
For repairs and maintenance, the municipality allocated R49 million towards roads and storm water infrastructure, R15 million for electricity, R14 million for water and sanitation and R3 million for the mechanical workshop.
Tseki said tariff increases were necessary to ensure the municipality was able to continue rendering services.
“In order to meet the needs of the people and render quality and durable services to our people, we have no option but to increase the tariffs, not to burden our people but to have capacity to render expected services,” said Tseki.
The municipality proposed a 7% increase on property rates, water, refuse and sewer tariffs, while electricity tariffs will still be informed by approval from the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA).
During deliberations, ANC councillor Sophie Jacobs welcomed the tabling of what she described as a funded budget.
“The opposition parties used to grill us for tabling an unfunded budget. I’m sure that today they will support it because it is funded. We have received a letter from Treasury. I move for the adoption of this budget because it’s funded,” said Jacobs.
Independent councillor Isolde Laesecke congratulated the municipal manager and finance team for tabling a funded budget but said she would not support its adoption.
“I’d like to congratulate the municipal manager and the financial team for tabling a budget that is funded. This is the first time in what I can say is a five-year period. All the directors should pay close attention and follow this plan because a plan without action is nothing. But we do not support the budget,” said Laesecke.
Freedom Front Plus councillor Lieb Liebenberg also acknowledged the work done by the municipality’s Chief Financial Officer but raised concerns about staff establishment and revenue collection.
“The CFO has compiled a well-articulated document. It shows the capabilities of the right qualified person in this position. There are areas of improvement, like the staff establishment not being funded for. Revenue collection could be improved. With whatever budget the municipality is receiving it is still not enough,” said Liebenberg.
EFF councillor Jeff Vilakazi supported the adoption of the budget, while calling on residents to support his party for improved service delivery.
Concerns around employment were also raised during the sitting, with DA councillors Hilton Maasdorp and Eric Motloung highlighting the issue of 256 employees currently working on three-month contracts and calling for permanent employment opportunities.
The matter was cited as one of the concerns raised by parties that did not support the budget.
A total of 22 councillors voted in favour of adopting the 2026/27 budget, while seven voted against it.
