The allocation forms part of the city’s R44.4bn draft budget, which outlines its financial and service delivery plans for the medium term. R40bn is earmarked for operational revenue, while R4.4bn will come from grants and the metro’s own revenue to fund capital expenditure.

Key priorities identified in the budget include water, sanitation, and the maintenance of roads after the ailing Free State metro has faced mounting criticism over the poor condition of its roads for years. 

Persistent neglect, worsened by recent heavy rains, has left many streets riddled with potholes.

It’s made daily commuting hazardous and caused damage to vehicles, further frustrating residents. Opposition parties have repeatedly raised the issue during council meetings, calling for a more decisive and structured intervention.

DA councillor Dirk Kotze had recently stated the party will submit a formal letter to the Mangaung mayor, Gregory Nthatisi, and send a Rule 38 question to the city manager, Sello More, compelling urgent action to address the deepening collapse of basic service delivery across the metro.

“The worsening failure of service delivery in Mangaung is no longer merely an inconvenience. It has become a humanitarian and governance crisis affecting thousands of residents in Bloemfontein, Botshabelo, and Thaba Nchu. 

“Daily water shortages leave households without reliable access to one of life’s most necessary resources. Burst pipes and neglected reservoirs remain unrepaired for weeks. 

“As a result, entire communities depend on water tankers. This creates uncertainty, frustration, and unacceptable hardship for families, schools, clinics, and businesses,” he said.

Speaking at a media briefing on Friday (17/4), chief financial officer Zuziwe Thekhisho acknowledged the severity of the situation and reaffirmed the metro’s commitment to improvement. 

“We are also residents in Mangaung, and we see these conditions of the roads. (Therefore) when you look at the budget, the allocation to road upgrades is about R800m over the period of three years.

“We have also significantly increased the allocation for maintenance of roads so that, as we upgrade, the refurbishing is done on one side. But we are also having budgeted to ensure we start now with maintenance of roads, close these potholes and ensure driving roads are quite what you deserve as people of Mangaung.””

The draft budget also proposes several tariff adjustments for the 2026/27 financial year. Electricity tariffs are set to increase by 9.9% and water by 14.4%. 

Property rates will decrease by 5%, and sanitation charges will remain unchanged. Solid waste tariffs are projected to increase by 3.7%, in line with inflation guidance from the National Treasury.

Thekhisho said property rates policy has been amended to provide relief for vulnerable communities.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi dg

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