The Democratic Alliance (DA), Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and African Alliance of Social Democrats (ASSD) rejected the Metro budget, citing that it does not speak to the needs of the residents.

The EFF's Baba Sebolao said that the ANC-led government continues to destroy what was once a city of roses, citing that the Central Business District (CBD) is now in disarray.

Meanwhile the ASSD's Lucky Mongale slammed the Metro’s Mayor for presenting a budget that he says does not highlight challenges faced by the youth.

"The problem must be fixed. We are in a youth month, young people are unemployed and we are told that unemployment stands at 25.9%. That is not true - that is a narrow definition. A broad definition would include even those that are sitting at home and have given up on finding a job, because they have no choice - they have no alternatives because someone just chose to sleep on duty," said Mongale.

ALSO READ: MSDF: Metro budget doesn’t address resident’s needs

Meanwhile, the leader of the Mangaung Service Delivery Forum, (MSDF), Potso Motoko, was also frustrated by the Metro budget. He agrees that the budget does not speak to the needs of residents.

The budget vote was initially postponed due to fear of disruptions. This followed after the pressure group, Mangaung Concerned Community (MCC), expressed their concerns over how the budget allegedly did not have the community’s input.

OFM News