Operating deficit
Reported annual operating expenditure exceeded revenue excluding capital transfers. This financial pressure is distinct from proof of service failure.
A closer look at the financial evidence behind your local government.
Reported annual operating expenditure exceeded revenue excluding capital transfers. This financial pressure is distinct from proof of service failure.
| Financial year | Expenditure | Revenue |
|---|---|---|
| 2022/23 | R 1,4B | R 939,1M |
| 2023/24 | R 1,7B | R 1,4B |
| 2024/25 | R 1,7B | R 1,2B |
| Financial year | Maintenance ratio |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 2,723% |
| 2023/24 | 1,756% |
| 2024/25 | 1,746% |
Eight largest reported categories are shown individually. All remaining reported categories are summed as “Other”; the exact data table lists each source category.
| Category | Expenditure |
|---|---|
| Electricity | R 821 519 941,00 |
| Mayor and Council | R 170 968 266,00 |
| Water Distribution | R 103 086 266,00 |
| Municipal Manager, Town Secretary and Chief Executive | R 102 253 605,00 |
| Finance | R 84 732 553,00 |
| Solid Waste Removal | R 74 015 487,00 |
| Waste Water Treatment | R 66 597 820,00 |
| Administrative and Corporate Support | R 40 785 686,00 |
| Community Halls and Facilities | R 39 772 271,00 |
| Fire Fighting and Protection | R 33 290 609,00 |
| Information Technology | R 23 765 869,00 |
| Roads | R 20 787 422,00 |
| Police Forces, Traffic and Street Parking Control | R 17 545 960,00 |
| Economic Development/Planning | R 13 421 537,00 |
| Fleet Management | R 11 313 881,00 |
| Property Services | R 11 173 220,00 |
| Town Planning, Building Regulations and Enforcement, and City Engineer | R 7 581 558,00 |
| Human Resources | R 6 621 695,00 |
| Cemeteries, Funeral Parlours and Crematoriums | R 5 782 125,00 |
| Supply Chain Management | R 3 482 301,00 |
| Libraries and Archives | R 1 389 614,00 |
| Recreational Facilities | R 62 290,00 |
| Project Management Unit | R 26 841,00 |
| Housing | R 5 021,00 |
| Road and Traffic Regulation | -R 199 417,00 |
An audit opinion assesses financial reporting and compliance. It does not certify service delivery or rule out all wrongdoing.
| Indicator | Reported value | What it tells you | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Repairs and maintenance | 1,756% | Audited annual repairs divided by reported property, plant, equipment and investment property. Reference 8%; ratios outside 0–100% need source review. | |
| Cash coverage | 2,423 months | Year-end cash divided by one twelfth of audited annual operating expenditure. Reference 3 months. | |
| Operating balance | -15,478% | Revenue excluding capital transfers minus operating expenditure, divided by that revenue. |