UDM Joburg mayoral candidate promises live weekly spending dashboard
Ongoing: Elections Hot
Yongama Zigebe, the United Democratic Movement's (UDM) candidate for Johannesburg mayor, said the party would put transparent budgeting first. He spoke in a radio interview ahead of the 4 November local government elections and also addressed tariffs, rates and levies.
Zigebe said the City of Johannesburg's budget for 2026-27 is R97.1 billion, and R7.5 billion of it is for maintenance and repairs. He said residents do not see this work because they do not know what goes into departments or who is responsible for what.
He said the government does not communicate with people and takes decisions behind their backs. He said a live dashboard would give residents a sense of ownership, which he said could prevent vandalism of substations and water stations.
Zigebe said: "We need to be able to publish our budget priorities. And the people need to have a say and scrutinise those particular budgets before they go into spending."
He also said some residents have been overcharged for consumption while others have been charged less, which he called unfair. Presenter John Perlman said the government's effort to communicate may come at the expense of getting things done.
Key facts
- Who
- Yongama Zigebe (UDM mayoral candidate for Johannesburg); John Perlman (702 presenter who interviewed Zigebe); United Democratic Movement (political party contesting the local government elections)
- What
- In a 702 interview ahead of the 4 November local government elections, Yongama Zigebe, the UDM's mayoral candidate for Johannesburg, set out the party's plans on transparent budgeting and fair tariffs, rates and levies.
- When
- 27 October 2026
- Where
- Johannesburg
- Status
- Reported