By Libuseng Nyaka
QWAQWA – Maluti-a-Phofung (Map) local council has given a vote of approval to the adjustment budget recommended by executive mayor Malekula Melato during a council sitting of Tuesday 10, 2024 .
Only Democratic Alliance (DA) voted against it.
Prior to the approval by council, Melato gave an overview of the budget interpretation in order to ensure all councillors understood the importance of the budget adjustment and what was being adjusted.
“A total operating revenue budget was increased from R211.8 billion to R 2.145 billion and the total operating budget was increased by R181.1 million from R1.964 billion to R2.145 billion.
“The total operating deficit for the year amounts to R2.476 million, which is caused by the error on the B-schedule; that is the additional amount under human settlements.”
Although she admitted to taking note of the adjustment budget, DA councillor in Maluti-a-Phofung local municipality Alison Oates expressed reservations about it. Oates was concerned that the municipality was likely to run out of cash.
Maluti-a-Phofung local municipality executive mayor Malekula Melato.
“The DA has taken note of the adjustment budget. It was our way of trying to say that the municipality and mayor must realize that the municipality is in a very difficult financial situation. All electricity revenue received by municipality is going to be paid directly to Eskom.
“All staffing and maintenance for electricity provisions remains the municipality’s responsibility. In the past this revenue was a stopgap to help the municipality pay its bills. It does not help to balance the books with the amount you are likely to collect.
You have to match expenses with realistic cash,” Oates said.
