Gauteng citizens have expressed disappointment with Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana and his failure to address the municipal debt crisis, which threatens to plunge the communities into darkness.

Godongwana was blocked from presenting his Budget Speech last week after a revolt over a VAT increase by Government of National Unity ministers, but Treasury has released the minister's proposed budget speech publicly.

The citizens claim that the minister's budget document failed to highlight the measures that could be implemented to address the Eskom debt facing various municipalities across the country.

The national treasury document has revealed that currently, 47 municipalities are failing to meet their financial obligations to Eskom, even after receiving debt relief. This has led to widespread load shedding and load reduction, which disrupts businesses, cripple industries, and negatively impact households. Without stable electricity, economic growth is stunted, small businesses suffer, and job losses increase.