National Treasury approved R125 million of about R267.6 million in unspent conditional grants, be rolled over to the next financial year (2026).
The City said in a statement, this is a crucial injection that will help sustain core infrastructure programmes across the Metro.
The rollover was done in line with the Division of Revenue Act (DORA) and National Treasury guidelines, allowing municipalities to apply for approval, to utilise any unspent conditional grant funds before the end of August each year.
Once approved, these funds are incorporated into the municipal budget.
Babalwa Lobishe, Executive Mayor of the Nelson Mandela Metro, said “as we note the grants that we have lost, it is imperative that we act with urgency and agility. Our challenges as a Metro are immense, but every cent we receive must be used effectively to deliver quality services to our communities.”
Lobishe said R89 million of the rollover funds from the Municipal Disaster Recovery Grant (MDRecG), will go towards completing the collapsed Matanzima Bridge upgrades in KwaNobuhle and the rehabilitation of the Cat Canal, both of which form part of the City’s approved disaster recovery business plan supported by MISA, PDMC, and NDMC.
“Council’s decision ensures that no disaster recovery funds go to waste and that critical infrastructure projects remain on track” said Lobishe.
The Matanzima Bridge is expected to be completed in the next two weeks, while the construction of the Cat Canal Rehabilitation will commence afterwards.