RC 260930SAfmAngela Ludek
Wednesday, 30 September 2026
Quantum focused on the hidden environmental costs of paper packaging before turning to unfunded municipal budgets and the burden ultimately passed to residents.
- 04:03
Auditor-General findings cited 116 municipalities adopting unfunded budgets in 2024–25, committing R288 billion in expenditure without the means to fund it.
- 04:12
Temba Dlamini said municipalities can approve budgets based on money they know will not arrive, because audits measure spending against the approved budget rather than reality.
- 04:29
Residents ultimately absorb municipal overspending through higher rates and service charges, while diverted funds mean more potholes, infrastructure decay and unpaid suppliers.
- 04:39
Dlamini urged voters to check collection rates, actual cash reserves and infrastructure maintenance allocations; roughly 8% maintenance spending was cited as the norm.
- 03:52
Paper bags are not automatically sustainable: Trader Bag’s Declan Cherry said sourcing, production efficiency, reuse, clean recycling and credible certification all matter.