EKURHULENI, Gauteng – After weeks of intense political wrangling and several failed attempts, the City of Ekurhuleni has officially passed its 2026/27 budget. The nearly R70-billion spending plan was approved by the council just days before the new financial year began, averting further uncertainty regarding municipal service delivery and the metro’s financial stability.
During the council session, 176 members voted in favor of adopting the metro’s massive spending plan. However, the approval faced staunch opposition from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). All 31 EFF councilors voted against the measure. An EFF spokesperson firmly rejected the plan, stating that the party opposes the budget in its entirety. The spokesperson argued that there was nothing new about the presented financial plan and accused political parties of prioritizing their own political interests over genuine solutions for the city.
Conversely, the governing coalition maintained that the budget successfully balances the need for financial stability with the growing demands for service delivery. A spokesperson for the governing coalition emphasized that the spending plan prioritizes essential repairs and maintenance while keeping the municipality on a sustainable financial path. Highlighting the council’s challenge, the coalition representative noted that no municipality can cut its way into growth, nor can it spend beyond its means. They stressed that the true test is adopting a financially disciplined program capable of restoring the city’s operational credibility.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) also threw its weight behind the budget after successfully negotiating a number of amendments. A DA spokesperson explained that the party was acutely aware that a continuous failure to pass the budget could result in the council being placed under provincial administration in terms of Section 139. To prevent this, the DA actively engaged with the ANC and other smaller political parties to find common ground.
Several smaller parties—including Action SA, the Patriotic Alliance, the IFP, the PAC, the UDM, the AIC, and the ACDP—also backed the budget. Representatives from these parties argued that failing to pass the financial plan would risk severe instability and invite provincial intervention.
Looking ahead, Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza stated that the newly approved plan seeks to strike a careful balance between keeping the municipality affordable for residents and improving service delivery to attract investment. Mayor Xhakaza highlighted that Ekurhuleni currently boasts some of the lowest rates and taxes in the region, describing it as likely the most affordable municipality in which to live, which she called good news for the residents.
The municipality remains confident that its revenue projections are achievable and that the 2026/27 budget is fully funded. With the political hurdles now cleared, the focus for the City of Ekurhuleni shifts entirely to implementation, sustainable growth, and keeping the metro out of provincial administration.
