Cape Town - Mayor Patricia de Lille has allocated R105 million for land acquisition in her proposed 2018/19 annual budget, which she tabled before council yesterday.
The budget amounts to R49.1 billion, with R39.8bn for the operating budget and R9.2bn for capital expenditure. Of the capital budget, R5bn is for informal settlements and water and waste services, R1.7bn for transport and urban development, and R1.1bn for energy.
De Lille's allocation for land acquisition comes about a month after Gugulethu and Philippi residents were embroiled in a battle with officials over land they occupied.
“We respect everyone’s right to protest but the violence and destruction cannot be condoned.
I have given our commitment to working together with the community, and to resolving issues in a peaceful manner,” she said.
Tariff increases of 7.2% for rates, 8.1% for electricity, 26.9% for water and 26.9% for sanitation were proposed.