The Democratic Alliance in KwaZulu-Natal has today filed court papers with the Pietermaritzburg High Court over the provincial government’s failure to take action against the Endumeni Local Municipality after they were unable to pass a funded budget by 31 July 2026. Find court papers attached here and here.
After 6 attempts to pass the budget and despite repeated warnings to place Endumeni under administration, the Premier of KZN, Thami Ntuli, and MEC of CoGTA, Rev. Thulasizwe Buthelezi, have steadfastly refused to adhere to the Public Finance Management Act, Municipal Finance Managamnet Act and the Constitution. Instead, the MEC has chosen to threaten DA Councillors in the Municipality with legal action over the inability of the IFP-led council to pass its budget.
The DA’s demands to support the budget were simple and clear. Give us a credible and funded budget. This was never forthcoming.
Instead, we have seen the Premier and MEC unwilling to act against the council because of its political affiliation. This is unacceptable to the DA.
The DA however welcomes the interventions of Finance MEC, Francois Rodgers who has attempted on numerous occasions to resolve the matter. Regrettably, his colleagues in the Provincial Government have been working in the opposite direction to him. More worryingly, they are fully aware that the municipality continues to spend money like it passed a budget, above the 8% legally permissible by the MFMA in situations like this.
We do not take this decision likely and only take it because we have no further options.
The Premier and CoGTA MEC have absconded from their legal and constitutional duties. If they had not, then the DA would not need to approach the court on an urgent basis.
The DA further urges the Provincial Government to act before the court hearing or alternatively not oppose our application if they don’t have the political will to do what they know is right.