FRIDAY FOCUS | Budget Battles, Unfunded Infrastructure and Election Countdown on the North Coast

This week on Friday Focus: KwaDukuza adopts a R3.5 billion budget with residents facing higher rates, refuse and electricity increases from July, while opposition parties warn the municipality is running out of financial room. We unpack the funding crisis surrounding the Dukuza Bulk Substation, ongoing electricity losses, and growing scrutiny over suspended Municipal Manager Nhlanhla Mdakane, who remains at home on full pay at a cost to the ratepayers who are also funding his expanded security detail that runs into millions. We also look at the countdown to the 2026 local government elections and early signs that the sardine run is nearing the KwaZulu-Natal coast.