The City of Tshwane’s R58.5 billion budget for the 2026/27 financial year, presented by Deputy Mayor and MMC for Finance Eugene Modise, has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties, who describe it as “unrealistic, unfunded and disconnected” from the metro’s deteriorating service delivery.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) raised concerns about Deputy Mayor Modise delivering the budget speech on May 21 in the absence of Executive Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya. The City has described the budget as fully funded and pro-poor, projecting operating revenue of R57.1 billion against operating expenditure of R55.6 billion, resulting in a reported surplus of R1.4 billion.
However, the DA has rejected this characterisation. In a press statement issued by the party’s Tshwane mayoral candidate, Alderman Cilliers Brink, the DA accused the ANC-led coalition government of tabling what it calls an “unfunded budget”.
Alderman Brink further claimed that Mayor Moya’s absence from the budget speech was deliberate, alleging that she sought to distance herself from the budget presented by Deputy Mayor and MMC of Finance Modise.
Among the DA’s primary concerns are rising water losses, which it says have increased from 32% to 41%, alongside significant expenditure on water tankers. The party also raised alarm over electricity losses, which it claims have grown from R1.87 billion to R3.2 billion, contributing to ongoing power outages affecting industrial areas and residents.
The DA further pointed to a decline in revenue collection rates, reportedly from 93% to 83%, resulting in a year-to-date under-collection of R1.75 billion. The party alleges that a substantial portion of the budget is directed to water tanker expenditure, an area where the City has already overspent by millions in 2026.
In its statement, the DA argued that the budget relies on overly optimistic revenue projections, drawing comparisons to Johannesburg’s recent budget challenges.
The criticism also comes amid controversy surrounding Modise, who was recently found guilty in a council process for failing to disclose his interest in Triotic Protection Services. The DA has linked this matter to broader concerns about governance and financial oversight within the City.
Responding to questions about the Mayor’s absence, mayoral spokesperson Zintle Mahlati said: “Executive Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya is on a work trip attending the World Urban Forum (WUF13), currently underway in Baku, Azerbaijan.”
Attempts to obtain comment from Deputy Mayor and MMC for Finance Eugene Modise regarding the DA’s statement were unsuccessful at the time of publication.
