AfriForum questions approval of Tshwane budget

The civil rights organisation AfriForum questions the approval of the Tshwane Metro’s budget for the 2020/2021 financial year, because only the municipal council is authorised to approve a budget – and not the administrator. The Council was dissolved and placed under administration earlier this year after councillors refused to attend meetings to appoint a new municipal manager.

When a municipality is placed under administration it becomes the responsibility of the Provincial Executive Committee to approve an interim budget until a new council is elected. The newly elected municipal council will then have to approve the final budget for the financial year.

According to AfriForum, the administrator did not act according to the law when it approved the budget. AfriForum therefore directed a letter to the Gauteng Premier and other role-players in which it requested that Provincial Municipal Committee ensures that the administrator does not overstep its authority and that the Committee approves an interim budget itself.

“AfriForum questions the process followed to approve the budget. It should be asked whether the administrator acted in the interest of the party or in the interest of residents,” says Jp Nel, AfriForum’s District Coordinator for Greater Pretoria.

The Tshwane Metro announced this week that the administrator is in the process of appointing a new municipal manager.

“AfriForum is currently busy studying the final appointment of the new municipal manager. We will also refer this matter to our legal division to ensure that the correct process is being followed,” says Sampie Steinberg, AfriForum’s District Coordinator for Greater Pretoria.

AfriForum will continue to apply pressure in a bid to ensure that state institutions act according to the law and in the interest of South African citizens.

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