This, as the MMM Council held a special sitting to discuss its adjustment budget and annual performance. Opposition parties in the council have expressed great concern over the 2021/22 adjustment budget, stating that it will leave the metro in a far worse position, unable to deliver services. 

The Freedom Front Plus, the Democratic Alliance, and the Economic Freedom Fighters have raised concerns about how an allocation to operational costs has been cut as compared to previous years. The EFF’s Baba Sebolao told those gathered in the chamber and on virtual platforms that the metro fails to prioritise its residents and that the current budget will result in poor service delivery. This, coupled with poor infrastructure maintenance, no overtime payment for workers, and growing Eskom and Bloem Water debt.

The special Mangaung Council sitting comes amidst another looming Mangaung shutdown. OFM News has reported that representatives of the Mangaung Concerned Community (MCC) have confirmed there are plans to continue with the Mangaung Shutdown after what they viewed as the provincial government’s failure to dissolve the metro’s council.

Indications are that the shutdown, which brought the city to its knees in May, will resume on July the 1st.

Whilst the special council sitting did not address the looming protests, it was highlighted that the budget needs to be passed urgently to enable the metro to address service delivery issues experienced in Mangaung.

OFM News