GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - Despite opposition from the DA councillors, on 28 February Dr Beyers Naude Local Municipality accepted an adjustment budget that, according to DA caucus leader Samantha Graham, is "flawed, unfunded and does not address service delivery".

One of the major issues that contributed to the decision of the DA not to support the budget is the increase in employee costs by R17 million.

In the previous financial year, the municipality already overspent on employee costs by R10 million.

Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) funds are being reduced by R4 million. In December, R7 million in MIG funding was withheld by National Treasury due to underspending. This means that some projects had to be cancelled. There is still no clarity on what the amount is by which the municipality should be reducing the MIG expenditure.

The adjustment budget calls for increased allocation to security in the amount of R700 000. A forensic report on security is still outstanding, so there was no justification provided for this increase.

Another major cause for concern is the current debt to Eskom of R84 million. There is apparently no agreement in place with Eskom and no provision to cover this debt has been made in the adjustment budget.

The municipality has reduced spending on maintenance and repairs to a mere 1.8% - this when in the last few weeks there have been so many problems with water and electricity supplies due largely to poorly maintained infrastructure.

The opposition party was also upset that the adjustment budget was only provided to councillors at the meeting, which is contrary to municipal regulations, and thus there was no time prior to the meeting to peruse and consider the document.

"Despite these and other issues raised, not only did the ANC councillors vote in favour of a budget that does not deal in any way with improving service delivery, but they also refused to allow the DA to table a motion to discuss current critical service delivery issues," said Cllr Graham.

"Sewage is running through our communities because the municipality cannot afford to fix pumps, but our adjusted salary budget is now at well over 40%."

According to Wilca Smith, acting communications officer for the municipality, the motion raised by Cllr Graham goes against the rules of order of council. Smith said that the Speaker explained this at the time, and the explanation was accepted by the DA.

Cllr Graham said that she had asked for permission to add the motion to the agenda (which can be given at the Speaker's discretion), and initially the Speaker allowed the motion. However, according to Cllr Graham, an ANC councillor then objected, so the permission was withdrawn.

Despite this, two other items were added to the agenda, and the Speaker allowed the mayor to give a speech, which was not on the agenda. The DA unsuccessfully objected to this.

Questions around these critical issues have been raised by the DA in the Provincial Legislature. In the meantime, however, Graaff-Reinet communities are faced with water, sewage and electricity issues and a budget that has no means to address them.

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