DA rejects CoJ's adjustment budget citing water, electricity funding shortfall

JOHANNESBURG - The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Johannesburg has rejected the city’s adjustment budget, questioning why funds were not reallocated to improve water and electricity infrastructure.

On Thursday, the city council approved a revised budget for the current financial year.

However, several political parties within the council have criticized the city’s capital budget, arguing that funds are allocated to inappropriate areas.

The City of Johannesburg has increased City Power’s capital budget from R1.3 billion to R1.5 billion, which is intended to fund the repair or replacement of power infrastructure.

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Similarly, Joburg Water's capital budget has risen from R1.2 billion to R1.3 billion to support day-to-day or short-term programmes.

However, DA councillor Chris Santana argues this is insufficient, stating that the adjusted budget does not allocate funds for bulk infrastructure projects.

“The main issue for us is that this budget needs to speak to bulk infrastructure. It was disappointing to see in the capital budget that we still have money going towards office furniture.”

However, the African National Congress (ANC) acknowledges the adjusted budget is not perfect, and promises to make improvements in the next financial year.