KNYSNA NEWS - The Knysna Council approved next year's budget after a second attempt on Thursday 5 June.

Following last week's impasse, Knysna Mayor Thando Matika resubmitted the municipality's budget for the 2025/26 financial year.

The budget was adopted by majority vote. The DA voted against it.

Matika said in a statement the budget focused on infrastructure development, financial stability, stakeholder engagement and collaborative governance, "key pillars that will guide the municipality's efforts in the year ahead" .

He added that the budget prioritises infrastructure investment and long-term financial sustainability, "laying the groundwork for a resilient and financially sound Knysna."

The DA's rejection

Sharon Sabbagh, DA Knysna's spokesperson on finance, said the party's rejection of the budget was due to the document's failure to include numerous public participation and integrated development plan (IDP) submissions.

"It is now evident that little to no comments and submissions made by residents at either the Ward IDP or Medium-Term Revenue and Expenditure Framework public meetings were included in this year's budget."

Sole opposition party

"The DA was the only party to vote against this budget, since the Knysna Independent Movement [KIM] joined with Cllr Mark Willemse's election as council speaker, leaving the DA as Knysna's sole opposition party," said Sabbagh.

Meanwhile, KIM's Susan Campbell has recently been appointed the chairperson of the MPAC (Municipal Public Accounts Committee).

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Knysna council approves budget | Knysna-Plett Herald 

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