Joburg is running out of time to avert a takeover
The DA’s failure to pass a budget for SA’s economic powerhouse may lead to administration
The City of Johannesburg, SA’s economic powerhouse, is in a race against time to avoid a takeover by the provincial government after the rejection of the DA’s proposed tariff increases left it unable to pass its R59bn budget last week. The failure of mayor Herman Mashaba’s tariff plan after the metro’s kingmaker, the EFF, abstained on the vote means the whole budget has to be reconsidered, according to a legal opinion sought by the city. The city has to pass the budget before the end of the municipal financial year in June or face being placed under administration by the ANC-controlled provincial government.A special council meeting has been called for Monday in which all of the budget-related items will have to be reconsidered and voted on again. A crucial political challenge for the DA-led coalition in passing the budget is that its most important voting partner, the EFF, is under no official obligation to support its agenda items. The rates and tariff increases were rejected by 1...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.