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?
Why it is Verified
Treasury held the payment back because it said the metro kept breaking the law on managing council money. Treasury's own statement names the metro and gives this reason. Daily Maverick reported on 28 July that the metro had still not met Treasury's terms. Treasury's list names 69 councils, but EWN says 70.
National Treasury. Published 7 July 2026.
Where to look: Page 1 of 3: paragraph 1 (temporarily withholding the July 2026 equitable share transfers 'following persistent and serious non-compliance with the Municipal Finance Management Act'); paragraph 2 ('Eastern Cape - Buffalo City, Nelson Mandela Bay, ...'; 69 municipalities in all). Page 3: transfers resume once conditions are met; 'Date: 07 July 2026'
EWN. Published 7 July 2026.
Where to look: Paragraph 2 (Nelson Mandela Bay and Buffalo City equitable share held back); paragraph 3 (along with 68 other municipalities); paragraph 4 (NMB 2026-27 equitable share R1.74 billion)
Daily Maverick. Published 28 July 2026.
Where to look: Paragraphs 1-2 (Treasury decided to release the funds, citing service delivery); paragraph 6 ('Nelson Mandela Bay and Mangaung, were singled out as municipalities that had still not complied with Treasury's demands'); paragraph 17 (20 municipalities already had their full share; the other 49 would get partial or full allocations on Friday, including 28 that had not complied and had received nothing). Paragraph 1 is the first body paragraph after the standfirst.
What did the council do, and when?
Who ran the council
Mayor: Babalwa Lobishe (ANC). Council run by ANC, EFF, PAC, Northern Alliance, Defenders of the People, African Independent Congress. From Oct 2024 to present.
EWN. Published 31 October 2024.
Where to look: Paragraph 1 (ANC councillor Lobishe elected uncontested as mayor); paragraph 2 (she resigned as deputy mayor on Thursday morning); paragraph after the 'ALSO READ' link (Van Niekerk elected deputy mayor unopposed)
Daily Maverick. Published 21 July 2026.
Where to look: Paragraph 6 (AIM's Khusta Jack resigned from the coalition in May); paragraph 7 (ANC 47 in coalition with EFF 7, NA 3, Defenders of the People 2, PAC 1 and AIC 1, with UDM voting support; 62 of 120 seats). Paragraph 1 is the first body paragraph after the standfirst.
Daily Maverick. Published 13 September 2026.
Where to look: Paragraph 5 (three government changes since 2021); paragraph 11 (coalition partners the EFF, PAC, Northern Alliance and AIC); paragraph 14 (EFF leads Electricity and Energy, and Budget and Treasury). Paragraph 1 is the first body paragraph after the standfirst.
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