Nelson Mandela Bay budget still to be finalised

Wednesday will be round two for the Nelson Mandela Bay council to adopt its 2018/19 operational budget – after proceedings deteriorated into chaos last week.

Parties failed to reach consensus, with opposition parties describing it as being exclusive of the poor.

The deadline for adoption is end of June.

The Democratic Alliance (DA)which is leading the metro has lost the support of six Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) members.

The ANC – which leads the opposition, is short of councillor Bongo Nombiba who remains behind bars. His leave to appeal his conviction for fraud and money laundering was dismissed by the magistrate’s court.

EFF councillor, Zilindile Vena says it would be useless to engage in a discussion about a budget that could potentially change.

“What we have raised here is a legal requirement, a document must be signed, it’s what is called quality certificate from the city manager… and therefore what we are talking about here doesn’t meet legal requirements. We are a legal body and therefore we need to do things legally, that is what we are raising and also the mayor cited that he is not sure about what is happening here,” Vena says.

If the municipality fails to adopt the budget by month end, it will face consequences, with the possibility of being placed under administration.

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