MEDIA RELEASE

EMBARGO: Immediate

DATE: 2 June 2025

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Cape Agulhas Municipality Approves 2025/2026 IDP and R578 Million Budget

Bredasdorp, Friday, 30 May 2025 – Cape Agulhas Municipality convened its Council meeting on 30 May 2025 and adopted the 2025/2026 Integrated Development Plan (IDP), alongside a R578 million annual budget. While the IDP underscores long-term strategic priorities, this release highlights the key components of the approved budget.

2025/2026 Budget Overview

Total Allocation: R578 million (R536 million operating; R41 million capital)

Financial Discipline: No new borrowing; capital projects funded from internal revenue to maintain a gearing ratio below 10 percent in 2025/2026 (targeting 3 percent by 2027/2028).

Cash-Flow Safeguard: An R80 million shortfall in 2024/2025 led to a R17 million capital reduction; a recovery plan is now in place to protect service delivery.

Public Participation: Draft budget tabled 28 March 2025 and refined through 11 Imbizo sessions (7–24 April 2025) plus written submissions from residents and the Provincial IDP/Budget Assessment Team.

Executive Mayor Cllr. Raymond Ross:

“This budget is credible and sustainable. It prioritises service delivery while safeguarding our financial stability.”

Capital Infrastructure Highlights (R37.5 million – 89 percent of capital budget)

Water & Sanitation: Upgrades at Bredasdorp Water Treatment Plant; Napier water augmentation; borehole installations; wastewater works rehabilitation; sanitation rollout in informal settlements.

Electricity: Electrification of informal settlements; overhead-line replacements; Minisub/Ringman unit installations; substation fencing upgrades.

Roads & Stormwater: Resealing local roads; constructing the Iris Street retention pond; MIG-funded rehabilitation of the Nuwerus–Napier road.

Waste Management: Procurement of 5 500 wheelie bins; landfill site upgrades; additional EPWP workers and skips to address illegal dumping.

Parks & Community Facilities: Fencing Glaskasteel Sports Grounds; beautifying Bredasdorp Cemetery; ongoing maintenance of parks and recreation areas.

Tourism & LED: Continued digital marketing to build on 19 870 visitors in 2024; rollout of an LED & Tourism Strategy targeting job creation and SMME support.

Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) & Job Creation

Allocation: R3 854 000 to generate approximately 367 work opportunities.

Focus Areas: Solid waste removal; parks maintenance; community facility repairs; public safety and disaster-management support.

Funding: R1 727 000 grant from the National Department of Transport & Public Works, plus a R2 162 000 municipal contribution.

“EPWP empowers residents with skills and temporary employment while addressing service backlogs,” said Mayor Ross.

Human Settlements & Indigent Support

Human Settlements Grants (R8 360 000): Struisbaai Blompark housing; Napier Erf 513 development; additional informal-settlement projects in Napier and Struisbaai.

Indigent Support (as of 30 April 2025):

2 918 households receiving free basic services (6 kl water/month; 50 units or R100.91 electricity; 100 percent refuse and sewerage rebates).

90 households in informal settlements and 163 in Elim receiving targeted relief.

Total indigent support budgeted at R1 000 000 (qualifying threshold: R7 790 per household).

Tariff Adjustments (Effective 1 July 2025)

Water & Sanitation: + 6.5 percent

Refuse Removal: + 11 percent

Property Rates: + 4.4 percent

Electricity (Prepaid & Bulk): + 11.32 percent

“While mindful of affordability, these adjustments are essential to sustain infrastructure and service levels. We appreciate ratepayers who continue to honour their accounts,” said Mayor Ross.

Commitment to Good Governance & Transparency

Mayor Ross reiterated a zero-tolerance stance on fraud and corruption following recent allegations. “Council and administration will act decisively to maintain public trust. Transparency, ethical leadership, and sound financial management guide every decision we make.”

For media enquiries:

Gurswin Prins

Senior Communications Officer

Tel: 028 425 5500 │ Email: gurswinp@capeagulhas.gov.za

ENDS

Eben Phillips

Municipal Manager

Cape Agulhas Municipality

P O Box 51

Bredasdorp

7280