05/06/2026
[Amathole District Municipality Participates in Provincial Treasury Division of Revenue Act (DoRA) District Workshop]
Amathole District Municipality joined the Eastern Cape Provincial Treasury, led by MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Environmental Affairs, Mr Mlungisi Mvoko, at the Kennaway Hotel and Conference Centre on 05 June 2026 for the Division of Revenue Act (DoRA) District Workshop.
The workshop brought together representatives from Amathole District Municipality and its six local municipalities, including Executive Mayors, Mayors, Councillors, Municipal Managers, and municipal officials. The gathering served as an important platform for strengthening intergovernmental relations and enhancing collaboration between national, provincial, and local spheres of government. In his welcoming remarks, MEC Mvoko highlighted the significance of the workshop in facilitating coordination across government structures and capacitating both political and administrative leadership. He noted that the programme provides municipalities with strategic guidance on matters relating to grant applications, the management of unspent conditional grants, and cash-backed rollover processes governed by the Division of Revenue Act.
The workshop featured a series of presentations that provided detailed feedback on municipal performance regarding grant expenditure, project planning, implementation, and completion. These engagements were aimed at equipping municipalities with the knowledge and understanding necessary to ensure compliance with DoRA requirements and to strengthen their ability to manage and utilise grant funding effectively.
A key focus of discussions centred on the delivery of essential services to communities, particularly the readiness of municipalities to implement planned water and sanitation infrastructure projects. However, concerns were raised regarding the reduction of grant allocations, especially the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG), which has been affected by financial pressures and debt challenges experienced by municipalities. While acknowledging these constraints, MEC Mvoko encouraged municipalities to maximise the impact of available resources and prioritise projects that address service delivery backlogs and fulfil their developmental mandate. The MEC further congratulated Amathole District Municipality on achieving a significant financial milestone through the approval of a funded budget after seven years of operating with an unfunded budget. He described this achievement as evidence of the strengthened working relationship between the municipality's political leadership and administration, as well as their collective commitment to improving access to sustainable water and sanitation services for communities.
The workshop also emphasised the importance of accurate financial reporting and prudent grant management. Municipalities were reminded that expenditure reporting must reflect actual spending patterns to prevent the withdrawal or reallocation of funds based on perceptions of under-expenditure. Compliance with the Municipal Standard Chart of Accounts (mSCOA) was emphasised as mandatory, with municipalities encouraged to urgently implement functional and efficient mSCOA systems where gaps still exist.
Also in attendance were representatives from the Eastern Cape Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, the Eastern Cape Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), the Department of Water and Sanitation, and the Department of Electricity and Energy, all of whom contributed to the discussions and provided sector-specific support. The outcomes of the workshop are expected to directly benefit communities across the Amathole District by strengthening municipal capacity to access, manage, and spend grant funding more effectively. Improved financial management and compliance will enhance municipalities' ability to implement critical infrastructure projects, particularly in water, sanitation, roads, and other essential services. Furthermore, better coordination between government spheres will support faster project delivery, improved service provision, and more sustainable development outcomes. Ultimately, the workshop contributes towards ensuring that public funds are utilised efficiently to address community needs, reduce service delivery backlogs, and improve the quality of life for residents throughout the district.