PRETORIA– THERE seems to be no end in sight to the bickering between the ruling African National Congress (ANC) and the Democratic Alliance (DA) ahead of watershed local government as the two political parties tussle for control of Pretoria.

At the centre of the current row is the city’s budget, which the opposition party claims is “unfunded and provides for irregular expenditure of R660 million.”

Solly Msimanga, the DA Mayoral candidate, further alleges the budget figures were availed to the councilors later than is normally done.

“The Adjustments Budget of the City of Tshwane, approved at the last meeting of Council in February, is both unfunded –  for reason that budgeted expenditure exceeds credibly expected revenue –  and provides for irregular expenditure of R660 million that may not be paid by the City in terms of the law,” alleges Msimaga.

He says it is also evident from the Adjustments Budget, which was tabled as the last minute at the February meeting of Council, that the city’s recent and continued losses of key capacity in its budgeting and Treasury departments are impacting negatively on the city’s ability to prepare and present a budget and to manage the budget process.

“This state of employment affairs is the reason why the City finds itself with a questionable budget for the first time in its history,” says the mayoral aspirant.

“It is unheard of that a budget of billions is only made available to councilors hours before a council meeting and is proof of the fact that the ANC is treating Council as a mere rubber stamp,” says Msimanga.

Msimanga questions the credibility of the budget saying it was “unacceptable.”

“The quality of the budget document also leaves much to be desired as it includes questionable expenditure and the budget doesn’t balance. Upon a critical analysis of the budget it is evident that the city’s reasonably expected revenue is insufficient to meet expenditure,” Msimanga says.

“It is regrettable and unacceptable that councillors are only given the opportunity to consider a budget after it was railroaded through Council by the ANC and not before to ensure that rational decisions are taken following informed debate.”

Msimanga raised concern that Peu Capital Partners was paid R880 million in the 2014/15 for a controversial scheme to install some 800 000 prepaid power meters.

He said only about 13 000 meters had been installed until the Auditor-General deemed offered little value.

The city initially defended the contract that commenced in October 2013 but Mayor Kgosientso Ramokgopa announced the termination of the contract in May last year.

Repeated efforts to get a comment from the city through its spokesperson, Blessing Manale, were fruitless as he did not respond to questions this publication sent him.

However, ANC spokesperson for Pretoria, Teboho Joala, denies allegations the ruling party meddles in the affairs of the city.

“We are a principled party and leave the affairs of the city from being administered by the Mayor and his team. We are not surprised by this. It is all about politicking,” Joala retorts.

ANC and DA have been at loggerheads in Pretoria since the beginning of the year, with tensions linked to the battle to control the capital city with local government elections impending.

In February, DA accused the metro of desecrating 600 graves in Pretoria East Cemetery. The municipality denied the accusations as a ploy to “score cheap political points.”

In January, the opposition party alleged the current administration running the capital city used R4 billion on irregular expenditure, another allegation that was denied.

–Guardian