Checked 27 October 2026
Where the facts in this claim come from
Every fact on the claim page, with the sources we used. We save a copy of each source on the day we read it.
What does the evidence show?
What was said
Brett Herron is GOOD's secretary-general. He says Cape Town got R4.7 billion from national government in equitable share. That is its yearly share of money raised by the whole country. He says it "budgeted just R2.7 billion toward free basic services".
GOOD. Published 1 August 2025.
Where to look: Third paragraph of the statement text (after the byline and the date), beginning 'And it is cloaked in lies': 'The City received R4.7 billion in the form of its local government equitable share from national. Of this, the City has budgeted just R2.7 billion toward free basic services' (what was claimed)
Why it is Verified
Both figures match official records, so GOOD's numbers are right. National Treasury set Cape Town's equitable share for 2025/26 at R4.69 billion. The City's budget puts the cost of free basic services at R2.72 billion. The City also gives other help, which sits in other parts of its budget. It budgets about R0.7 billion for indigent households. These are poor households that qualify for help. This money pays for free water, sanitation and electricity above the national minimums. It also budgets R2.4 billion in property rates rebates. These are discounts on the rates that property owners pay.
National Treasury. Published 4 July 2025.
Where to look: PDF page 26, Western Cape, column '(CPT) City of Cape Town': Allocation 4 693 517 (R'000); paid 7 Jul 2025, 9 Dec 2025 and 11 Mar 2026 (no printed date; date is the PDF creation date, 4 Jul 2025)
City of Cape Town. Published 26 June 2025.
Where to look: Printed page 86 (PDF page 95), Table A10: 'Total cost of FBS provided' 2 717 611 (R'000) for 2025/26; 'Revenue cost of subsidised services provided' 3 135 095, made up of property rates rebates 2 431 920, water above 6 kl per indigent household 429 327, sanitation above the free service 222 627, electricity above 50 kWh 23 676 and housing rental rebates 27 545; explanatory note 3 (printed page 87): cost of free basic services 'R2 718 million in 2025/26'. Printed page 35 (PDF page 44), Table 18: Local Government Equitable Share 4 693 517 for 2025/26. Printed page 3: 'R5,1 billion social package ... with R2,4 billion in rates rebates and R2,7 billion in indigent relief'
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