Opposition parties criticise City's budget for misrepresenting poor communities

OPPOSITION parties have accused the City of misrepresenting the realities faced by poor and working-class communities in adopting the 2025/26 budget.

- MANDILAKHE TSHWETE

The final budget tabled during Council meeting yesterday highlighted a range of revisions, which Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis introduced. He said these were aimed at easing cost burdens for pensioners and middle-income households while preserving the City’s multibillion-rand infrastructure investment programme.

“Our budget asks a little more of those who can afford it, while protecting basic services for those who can't afford it,” Hill-Lewis told councillors.

“The budget was largely welcomed by lower-income residents, and we've also managed to significantly lower increases for middle-class residents, in the end building broad support for the budget across the city.”

The mayor announced significant enhancements to pensioner rebates, including a 100 percent rates and cleaning charge rebate for those earning up to R10,000 per month, up from the previous R7,500 threshold.

“A 50 percent rebate will now be available up to R20 000 income, 20% up to R24 000 income, and 10% up to the R27 000 max threshold,” he said.