Councilors pass budget with a pinch of salt

By Libuseng Nyaka

QWAQWA – Concerns have been raised after the Maluti-a-Phofung local municipality council this week passed a budget of R1.963 billion for the 2024/25 financial year which is 33 percent less than the 2023/2024 adjusted budget.

This after 37 councilors voted for passing of the budget while 24 were against it being passed.
Even though ANC councilors pushed for the passing of the budget, some like Nhlapo Litabe expressed concerns that the budget does not speak to the community.

“I accept this budget with reservations because these officials are here to collect money. They have not done their work. It does not speak to the community. The budget is all about the salaries of the officials and councilors,” said Litabe.

Echoing his sentiments, Malefo Moopeloa said he too accepts the budget.
“We should be able to see how much has been allocated for EPWP, but this budget does not reflect it.”

Far left Cllr Shashapa Motaung during tabling of the budget.

Those who opposed the budget, who included councilors from the government side, did not support it because they felt it does not speak to the community.
Map 16 Civic Movement councilor Mojalefa Naledi quipped: “How can we approve this budget when even ANC councilors do not have faith in it?”

For his part, council whip Moeketsi Lebesa reminded councillors that this is the first time that the budget is passed before deadline and the law permits for them to adjust the budget where other matters such as EPWP will be included.