KZN Public Works MEC criticises ‘low’ budget allocation
KwaZulu-Natal Public Works MEC Martin Meyer
feels the budget allocation for his department is too low.
"We are doing everything we can to minimise our footprint with rates to bring down what we pay,” he said following the tabling of the provincial budget this week.
"But, as long as that disconnect between what we receive to pay rates and what we actually have to pay in rates remains, our budget will not be sufficient to do what we, as public works and infrastructure, are supposed to do."
Meyer is concerned the budget allocated for the 2025/26 financial year will leave them with a significant shortfall.
On Thursday, he told members of the provincial legislature that it may affect their ability to pay their municipal rates.
READ: KZN sets aside R18bn for infrastructure development
Meyer said that even their clients do not make payments on time.
The MEC said they have been locked in discussions with Treasury over their expenses.
"Our ongoing concern, chairperson, is that there's a big disconnect between what we have to pay in rates to municipalities and that which we receive from the treasury to pay, leading to us struggling to pay municipalities.
"And that means municipalities are then struggling to provide the services, as they are getting money from us as one of the biggest ratepayers in the province."
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