29/05/2026
DEBATE SPEECH BY THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION, CLLR ANDILE GILI, ON THE 2026-2027 BUDGET, WITZENBERG MUNICIPAL COUNCIL MEETING, FRIDAY 29 MAY 2026
Speaker,
Executive Mayor,
Members of the Mayoral Committee,
Councillors,
Officials present, and members of the public.
Today, we debate a budget that will have a direct impact on the daily lives of the people of Witzenberg. As the opposition, and as representatives of the poor and working-class communities, we have a responsibility to speak honestly and firmly on behalf of those residents who continue to struggle under extremely difficult economic conditions.
The Executive Mayor stated in his report that the municipality’s collection rate has declined to 88%, which is below the National Treasury norm of 95%. He further stated that strict credit control and stewardship measures are required to improve revenue collection. As Council, we understand the importance of maintaining a financially sustainable municipality. However, financial sustainability cannot come at the expense of the poor.
The implementation of electricity meter blocking may have assisted the municipality in collecting debt, but we must ask ourselves whether enough consideration has been given to the social and economic conditions faced by our people. Residents are already struggling to survive under the current financial pressures, including the existing auxiliary electricity charges. To now move towards even higher charges and tariff increases while unemployment remains high and the cost of living continues to rise is unfair and insensitive to the realities facing our communities.
People are struggling to afford food, transport, electricity, paraffin, candles, school expenses, and other daily necessities. Many households are surviving on a single income, while others depend entirely on social grants. Under these conditions, this Council cannot ignore the suffering of ordinary residents.
The Mayor himself stated in his report that tariffs must remain affordable to the community. Yet this budget proposes increases that many residents simply cannot sustain. If we approve this budget in its current form, we will effectively be placing the financial burden of the municipality onto the shoulders of poor and working-class households.
Speaker,
The opposition is also concerned about the lack of clear evidence showing whether the municipality’s strict credit control measures are actually improving collections. We therefore call on the Finance Directorate to provide Council with a detailed report on the impact of electricity meter blocking, including whether the municipality’s collection rate has improved since implementation and how many vulnerable households have been affected.
We must also confront another uncomfortable reality. One of the contributing factors to declining municipal electricity revenue is the decision taken years ago to approve SSEG arrangements, which allowed many businesses to move away from the municipal electricity grid. While businesses benefit from alternative energy systems, ordinary residents remain dependent on the municipality and are now expected to carry the burden of declining electricity revenue.
This creates the perception that poor households are subsidising the system while wealthier sectors benefit.
Speaker,
The so-called “community relief initiatives” mentioned in the Mayor’s report do not amount to meaningful relief for struggling communities. The amendment to the indigent policy criteria, which now only considers the income of the property owner and spouse, is something that should have been implemented from the beginning. It is not a major intervention that changes the reality of poverty in our communities.
In areas such as Bella Vista, Nduli, Wolseley, Tulbagh, and parts of Ceres, residents continue to face severe social and economic challenges. Many young adults remain in their family homes because they cannot afford housing. Others are unemployed or working low-paying jobs while trying to support children and extended family members.
At the same time, this municipality has failed to provide a clear housing strategy for the working and middle class — including teachers, nurses, prison wardens, municipal workers, and other residents who do not qualify for subsidised housing but also cannot afford private property prices.
Speaker,
The opposition is further concerned that households earning slightly above R5 000 per month may soon lose access to indigent support due to increases in the national minimum wage, despite still facing severe financial hardship. This demonstrates that the municipality’s support measures are not aligned with the economic realities experienced by residents.
On the issue of the capital budget, the municipality continues to rely heavily on grants while failing to fully utilise opportunities available through Independent Power Producers operating within Witzenberg. As a Renewable Energy Area, Witzenberg should be actively negotiating partnerships through Memorandums of Understanding, Social Labour Plans, Community Trusts, and Development Agreements to support community development and municipal infrastructure projects.
Independent Power Producers across the country contribute towards:
- Roads,
- Electrification,
- Sports facilities,
- Water infrastructure,
- ICT connectivity,
- Community halls,
- Youth centres, and
- Waste management infrastructure.
The question must therefore be asked: why is Witzenberg not securing greater community benefit from the renewable energy developments operating within our area?
Speaker,
Witzenberg contributes billions to the regional economy, yet many communities still face poverty, housing shortages, unemployment, and inadequate infrastructure. We must ask why the municipality is not doing more to engage Eskom and IPPs to increase electricity supply capacity in order to support economic growth, attract investment, expand businesses, and accelerate housing development.
A municipality must not only focus on balancing financial books and brag about clean audits. It must also focus on protecting the dignity, wellbeing, and future of its residents.
This budget, in its current form, does not adequately protect the interests of poor and working-class communities. It asks struggling residents to carry more financial pressure without providing sufficient social and economic relief in return.
For these reasons, and in defence of the interests of the people of Witzenberg, as the opposition, the ANC cannot support this budget in its current form.
I thank you.
