CALM Chief Financial Officer Maggy Sekgobela.
The hosted an Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and draft budget consultation for the 2026/27 to 2028/29 financial years at the Elukwatini Disaster Centre, where municipal leaders urged communities to participate in shaping future development priorities.
The consultation formed part of the municipality’s public participation process following a council resolution to engage stakeholders before the final approval of the budget.
During the session, Chief Financial Officer Maggy Sekgobela presented proposed budget allocations for various municipal departments, outlining key service delivery priorities and financial needs for the coming financial years.
Executive Mayor Cllr Mbuso Magubane stressed the importance of community participation, saying continued engagement between the municipality and residents strengthens accountability and transparency.
“We encourage stakeholders to share the information with their communities so that people understand the municipality’s plans and challenges,” said Magubane.
The mayor also raised concerns about low revenue collection, warning that poor payment levels could negatively affect the municipality’s ability to provide basic services.
He urged residents to pay for municipal services and encouraged struggling households to register on the indigent register for assistance.
Magubane further appealed to residents to register to vote, explaining that voter registration data helps provide an accurate reflection of ward populations, which plays a role in determining budget allocations.
According to the municipality, grants are expected to contribute 74% of the municipality’s projected revenue, while the remaining portion will come from internal billing sources.
However, despite the municipality’s efforts to encourage public participation, some residents expressed frustration and distrust towards the IDP process, claiming that issues raised year after year are never addressed.
Resident Sindlile Nkosi said communities continuously submit concerns about roads, water supply and housing, but little changes on the ground.
“We include roads, water supply and housing in the IDP every year and they get approved, but there is no implementation. Our infrastructure is getting worse, yet every year we sit in these meetings and hear empty promises. For me, these meetings are useless and a waste of time,” said Nkosi.
Another resident, Sizwe Mabuza, questioned whether ordinary residents truly benefit from the consultation process.
“Maybe they should allow only those benefiting from the municipality to participate because it helps them. For ordinary citizens it feels useless,” he said.
Mabuza also alleged that local business opportunities often go to people from outside the municipality or those politically connected.
“Communities are consulted, but politicians are the ones benefiting in the end. People are tired of the same discussions every year with no action,” he added.
The mixed reactions highlighted growing frustrations among residents who say they want to see implementation of projects rather than repeated consultation meetings with little visible progress.
