DA Slams Tshwane’s ‘Pro-Poor’ Budget as Political Showmanship, While Modise Defends Support for Struggling Households

The City of Tshwane’s 2025/26 budget has sparked political tensions, with the Democratic Alliance (DA) accusing Deputy Mayor Eugene Modise of pushing an “ANC image campaign” rather than prioritising the real needs of residents.

The DA’s Jacqui Uys criticised the newly tabled draft budget, calling it “political window dressing” that fails to address the core issues of service delivery, rising costs, and financial mismanagement in the metro.

In his budget speech, however, Modise stood firm on the city’s intention to support struggling households, stating that the budget is deliberately pro-poor and structured to widen access to municipal support.

“Tshwane is home to residents who face many social ills, including unemployment, poverty and limited access to essential services. As a caring government we have ensured that we provide a safety net for our most vulnerable residents,” said Modise.

Expanded Support for Indigent Households

One of the key budgetary changes is the upward revision of the indigent household threshold—from R150,000 to R250,000 in annual income—following the city’s updated general valuation roll. Modise stated that this shift will benefit around 180,000 households.

However, Uys argued that this does not go far enough. She advocated for raising the property tax exemption to R450,000 to offer relief to lower-income residents facing inflated property values.

Controversial Waste Levy Sparks Backlash

A major sticking point for opposition parties is the introduction of a fixed R194 monthly waste levy for households using private refuse collection. The DA questioned its timing and intent, especially after the draft budget proposed reducing waste management spending from R2.1 billion to R2 billion.

“This is just another tax disguised as a service improvement tool. If the goal is a cleaner city, then budget cuts to waste management send the opposite message,” Uys said.

Modise defended the levy as a previously reviewed and legally aligned measure aimed at long-term waste management solutions.

Mixed Reactions from Political Stakeholders

While the DA and other critics argue the budget lacks substance, ActionSA president Herman Mashaba struck a more optimistic tone. He welcomed what he called “the first fully funded budget since 2022,” highlighting its alignment with economic growth and investment goals.

“ActionSA welcomes the R780 million set aside for Economic Development and Spatial Planning, as it supports our strategy to attract R17 billion in investment and create 80,000 jobs,” said Mashaba.

Infrastructure and Maintenance Prioritised

The 2025/26 budget earmarks R1.4 billion for repairs and maintenance across the metro. Modise detailed region-specific allocations, including:

• Region 1: R27.42 million for refurbishing the Soshanguve IA and W substations.

• Region 2: R23 million for the Pyramid Substation and public lighting improvements.

He said the city is working to instill a culture of asset preservation and long-overdue maintenance.

As the political debate intensifies, Tshwane residents await clarity on how these budget decisions will play out on the ground. While some view the budget as a long-overdue step toward inclusive service delivery, others fear it’s another case of promises without results.

Stay with us for updates as the 2025/26 budget undergoes further public scrutiny and council debate.

{Source: IOL}

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