Infrastructure development and electrification projects have emerged as key priorities in Umzimvubu Local Municipality’s Draft Budget for the 2026/2027 financial year tabled by Mayor Councillor Zukiswa Ndevu.
The draft budget was presented during the 9th Ordinary Council Meeting held at the newly renovated Municipal Council Chambers on Thursday, 28 May 2026.
The Municipality’s total revenue budget increased from R512.2 million to R525 million, reflecting a 2% rise driven mainly by additional grants and subsidies, including disaster recovery funding and climate change initiatives.
However, the Municipality’s Equitable Share allocation declined from R293 million to R281.1 million, while the capital budget dropped from R188.2 million to R131.3 million due to lower disaster recovery allocations and fewer internally funded projects.
Despite the reduced capital budget, the Municipality announced several major infrastructure projects for the upcoming financial year. These include electrification projects in Ngojini, Shayamoya, and Sigidini funded through the R8.4 million Integrated National Electrification Programme (INEP) Grant.
Infrastructure projects funded through the R57.7 million Municipal Infrastructure Grant include the Osborn Bridge, Marwaqa Access Road and Bridge, Ngwekazana/Gudlintaba Access Road, and the construction of community halls across different wards.
The Municipality also increased its operational expenditure budget to R507.9 million to support repairs and maintenance, security services, electrification, human settlements, public participation programmes, youth and elderly support initiatives, SMME development, ploughing projects, and school IT development.
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