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IOL News
28-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Cape Town mayor can learn from finance minister's budget
Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis should table a revised Draft Budget and deliver a Budget that is realistic, linked to the CPI of 4.5%, to make it affordable to ratepayers, says the writer. Image: Phando Jikelo EXAMINING the history of the growth in the City of Cape Town budgets, it can clearly be seen that since 2021/22 Budget growth picked up substantially. The Capital Budget grew from a modest R3.7 billion to a humongous R12.7 billion in only four years. Taken against the South African economy which has a growth rate of 1.4% (revised down from 1.9%) the City's Budget growth of around 9% per year, is totally out of proportion with the rest of the country. In the latest National Budget the minister announced that future grants to municipalities will be lower due to National Budget constraints. Yet, the Mayor of Cape Town will not budge on his aggressive Capital Expansion for future projects. In the light of the national government's financial constraints, a Metro like the City of Cape Town simply cannot continue as if it is not part of the larger country. The disastrous results of this Mayor's lack of strategic vision, are clearly visible after the latest Budget fiasco with the COCT Draft Budget for 2025-26. Ratepayers have reached the end of their ability to absorb the ever increasing number of fixed charges the City introduces to fund their ambitious expansion plans. The link to property values which creates an exponential rate of tariff increases can simply not be implemented in this tight fiscal environment of national growth of only 1.4%. On 28 May 2025, the Mayor should therefore table a revised Draft Budget and deliver a Budget that is realistic, linked to the CPI of 4.5%, to make it affordable to ratepayers. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The new fixed charges must be removed and above all, an alternative to the link to property values to determine the water fixed charge must be found. (A simple flat rate as what is applied for electricity is suggested.) The Mayor should demonstrate the same restraint as what was shown in the national budget. The finance minister was forced through effective opposition in a GNU where no single party had the majority to push through what it wanted. Sandra Dickson | STOP City of Cape Town
The Citizen
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Tshwane makes strides in corruption fight as city tackles R13bn irregular expenditure backlog
Tshwane expects to conclude investigations into an additional R1 billion worth of irregular expenditure by the end of the 2024-2025 financial year. Tshwane Executive Mayor Nasiphi Moya announced significant progress in the city's fight against corruption, revealing that investigations into R11.7 billion worth of unauthorised, irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure have been completed this financial year alone. The mayor delivered the update during a progress briefing held at Tshwane House in Pretoria West on Thursday. The city expects to conclude investigations into an additional R1 billion worth of irregular expenditure by the end of the 2024-2025 financial year, bringing the total reduction to R12.7 billion from an initial balance of R13 billion. This represents a dramatic improvement from the previous financial year, when only R1.2 billion worth of investigations were completed. 'This has positioned the city to comply with commitments to the Agsa (Auditor General of South Africa) and National Treasury in respect of reducing historic UIFW balances,' Moya said. ALSO READ: Tshwane's R54.6bn budget draws mixed reactions Tshwane accelerates disciplinary action The intensified oversight has yielded concrete results in terms of accountability measures. The number of cases where disciplinary action has been recommended against officials has increased from 126 in February to 349 currently. Criminal prosecution referrals have risen from 39 to 44 cases, while over 900 cases have been referred to the financial disciplinary board, up from just 70 in February. The city has dismissed 85 officials, an increase from 77 reported in February. 'These dismissals range from sexual harassment, rape, to fraud and corruption, bribery, theft and dereliction of duty,' Moya explained. In a notable development, the mayor announced that a former section 79 chairperson will be referred to the Speaker's Office for investigation regarding violations of procurement policies. 'They said a councillor issued a letter giving permission to a private company to make use of our outdoor advertising space, which is outside our procurement processes,' she said. The long-awaited investigation into the Refilwe and Caledonian stadium projects has also concluded. 'I'm happy to announce the investigation was concluded, and there are five officials that have been issued with letters of intention to suspend,' Moya revealed. ALSO READ: Gauteng's waste collection woes: R1 billion needed for landfills, R60 million for fleets Company blacklisting initiative As part of efforts to clean up the city's service provider panel, the National Treasury is currently processing eight companies for blacklisting and restriction due to poor performance or contract contraventions. Moya admitted that the city has faced challenges in serving these companies with formal notices, as many have vacated their registered addresses. 'Upon legal advice, the city will proceed with steps to have these companies blacklisted in absentia and restore [the] integrity of our panel of service providers,' Moya said. To support ongoing governance improvements, the budget allocates R36 million to group audit and risk for forensic investigations in the fight against corruption. ALSO READ: Here is how Tshwane will be spending its R54.6 billion budget Court victory on salary disputes The city achieved a significant legal victory when the Labour Court granted an exemption from implementing a 5.4% wage increase on 9 May 2025, while referring the matter of a 3.5% increase for the 2021-2022 financial year back to the South African Local Government Bargaining Council. Following constructive meetings with the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samu) and the Independent Municipal and Allied Trade Union (Imatu), all parties agreed to participate in a mediation process under section 150 of the Labour Relations Act. 'All parties affirmed that mediation offers the best opportunity to reach a mutually beneficial outcome in a timely manner,' Moya said, while acknowledging that both unions expressed disappointment with the court's ruling on the 5.4% increase and reserved the right to appeal. NOW READ: Mayor Moya is working, not hiding
The South African
16-05-2025
- Business
- The South African
Lotto Plus 2 jackpot winner to retire to the coast after R12.7 million pay day
ITHUBA, operators of the National Lottery in South Africa, have announced that the lucky winner of over R12.7 million in the Lotto Plus 2 jackpot has come forward to claim their winnings. The winning ticket was purchased through the Capitec banking app with a R20 wager using the Quick Pick selection method, on Wednesday 30 April 2025 in draw number 2537. The winning numbers were 4, 6, 17, 18, 21, 40 while the bonus ball was 1. The exact amount won was R12 721 735. The winner, a pensioner, was over the moon when he discovered he had won, but above all, he was deeply relieved. 'My wife and I have been facing significant medical challenges, and the financial burden has been overwhelming. 'Now, we'll finally be able to access the quality care we need – this win couldn't have come at a better time,' he said. The winner explained that he first shared the news of his multimillion-rand win with his wife, and later with their son, who has been caring for them selflessly. He added: 'My wife was completely thrilled, and my son – who's been looking after us with such grace, driving us to all our medical appointments willingly – was just so relieved that we will finally be able to afford better health care.' Elaborating on how he plans to spend his winnings, he added: 'We are packing our bags and moving to the coast to spend the rest of our retirement there. I am so grateful that we will spend the golden years of our lives in peace and tranquility,' he concluded. ITHUBA's CEO, Charmaine Mabuza, shared her sentiments on the winner's story, saying: 'This winner's story is very heartwarming. 'All National Lottery participants have their one big reason why they play. 'For this winner, he wanted to enjoy his golden years in peace without worrying about the basics. 'We are so glad that the Lotto Plus 2 jackpot will help him achieve that,' said Mabuza. All winners have 365 days from the draw date to claim their prize, and all National Lottery winnings are tax-free. ITHUBA is dedicated to responsible gaming and responsible winning and offers trauma counseling and financial advice for winners of R50 000 and above. ITHUBA encourages all participants to keep their tickets safe and, for those playing with physical tickets, to write their name and ID number on the back for security purposes. Players must be 18 years or older to play. Play responsibly. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
30-04-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs: R23-million worth of departures
Kaizer Chiefs are set to let go of some players worth some big money. Kaizer Chiefs will be undergoing a massive squad revamp. Meaning, there is a mass player exodus on the cards. ALSO READ: KAIZER CHIEFS (EXITS) – STRIKER HEADING OUT OF NATURENA Ranga Chivaviro is the latest Chiefs striker linked with a likely exit. Meanwhile, Amakhosi midfielders, George Matlou and Mduduzi Mdantsane are linked with probable departures. So, Matlou may finally leave Chiefs after years of being linked with a departure. Moreover, Mdantsane is set to be released permanently. The midfielder is currently on loan with PSL rivals, Richards Bay. So, he could join them or any prospective club if he is released at the end of the season. Both midfielders have struggled for gametime under Nasreddine Nabi. Hence, Mdantsane being loaned out. Now, Matlou could follow suit. His situation at the club is unlikely to change given his current place in the pecking order. Mdantsane has a R13 million (R12.7 million) price tag. Furthermore, Matlou is reportedly valued at roughly R4 million. Finally, Chivaviro has an R6 million (R5.8 million) transfer evaluation estimate. Therefore, R23-million (R22. 8 million) worth of Chiefs players are linked with exits. *Please note these are based on the latest reported transfer market evaluation figures on Tranfermarkt at the time of publication. Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
