Procurement Act struck down: What happens to the reform now?
The rules governing public procurement remain in place, but the government’s plan for a new framework has been sent back to the drawing board.
Municipalities
Treasury calls July municipal intervention a success – but the bigger fix is still ahead
The funds were released despite incomplete compliance, with municipalities now subject to structured programmes and deadlines aimed at correcting financial and governance failures.
Treasury swaps sanctions for stricter municipal oversight
The release of R7.1 billion buys time, but December’s equitable share assessment will determine whether non-compliant municipalities face another funding freeze.
Municipalities are owed R218bn. So why are they running out of money?
The FFC says a system-wide breakdown in collecting and paying bills is fuelling arrears that more than a decade of government interventions has failed to contain.
Treasury faces seven-day deadline over withheld municipal funds
Lawmakers want legal questions over withheld equitable-share allocations resolved as Treasury begins releasing billions of rand to compliant municipalities.
Treasury’s crackdown spreads beyond municipalities
Municipalities that fix their governance failures could regain funding within weeks, while provinces and national departments are now facing the same scrutiny.
Treasury intervention lays bare concentrated municipal debt
Just 10 of the 69 affected municipalities account for more than R21.6bn in arrears to utilities, retirement funds, SARS and other creditors.
Retirement fund arrears rise to R8.33bn despite R1bn in recoveries
Late-payment interest now accounts for almost half of arrears, suggesting unpaid contributions are remaining outstanding for longer.
Government floats VAT sharing to shore up municipal revenue
The White Paper describes how municipalities and households are being financially squeezed by escalating input costs – particularly for electricity.
Treasury signals harder line on failing municipalities
Treasury Director-General Duncan Pieterse says municipalities that fail to reform may increasingly lose operational control of key services.
50% surge in employers in arrears with retirement contributions
Unpaid contributions rose to R7.29bn, and 62% of delinquent employers are in the motor and private security sectors, according to FSCA data.
SCA: Retirement fund agreement for municipal staff is illegal
The majority finds the accreditation mechanism effectively coerced funds to amend their rules or risk losing employer contributions – undermining trustees’ fiduciary duties under the PFA.
Treasury wants insurers to assume more municipal disaster risk
The government will engage the sector on the potential for parametric insurance to improve South Africa’s approach to disaster risk.
Why insurance plays a limited role in municipal risk financing
A study says the reasons include underinsurance, poor maintenance, claims processing delays, and market constraints.
Municipal crisis: mismanagement threatens service delivery and financial stability
Recent reports and the Budget Overview expose deep flaws in local government, prompting urgent calls for debt reforms and stricter accountability.
Unpaid contributions: FSCA prepares to hold non-compliant employers accountable
With over R5.2 billion in unpaid retirement fund contributions and municipalities among the worst offenders, the FSCA is poised to gain expanded powers under the COFI Bill.
Important expenses not factored into the medium-term budget
A major concern is the contingent liability guarantees of municipalities and some of the state-owned enterprises.
