Bushbuckridge Local Municipality
750 821
Population
Census 2022
10 248
Square kilometres
73.3 per km2
167 927
Households
76
Council seats
Bushbuckridge Local Municipality is a local municipality in Mpumalanga, covering 10 248 square kilometres. It falls within the Ehlanzeni District Municipality. Its main centre is Sabie Park.
Census 2022 counted 750 821 residents, making it the 5th most populous of the 20 municipalities in Mpumalanga and 38th of 257 nationally. That works out to 73.3 people per square kilometre. Population is spread thinly across the area. There are 167 927 households, averaging 4.5 people each. 32.6% of residents are under 15 and 5.4% are over 65. Among residents aged 20 and over, 5.8% hold a higher education qualification and 15.0% have had no schooling.
The council has 76 seats across 10 parties, with ANC holding the largest share at 53 seats (69.7%). ANC governs the municipality. Ms Matlanatso Lydia Moroane serves as executive mayor (ANC), and Mr Jasper Ngobeni is municipal manager.
On this site’s financial health measure, which weighs the Auditor-General’s opinion alongside operating margin, liquidity, cash cover and irregular spending, Bushbuckridge scores 51.3 out of 100 for 2024/25, a grade of D, described as under strain. Its most recent audit outcome was recorded as “financially unqualified”. In 2024/25 it reported R1.8 billion in operating revenue against R1.9 billion in expenditure, an operating deficit of R127.3 million. At the last census, 25.9% of households had piped water inside the dwelling, 98.5% used electricity for lighting and 20.6% had refuse removed weekly.
Council and management
Seats: Electoral Commission, 2021 local government elections
- ANC 53 69.7%
- EFF 8 10.5%
- ISANCO 5 6.6%
- DA 2 2.6%
- BRA 2 2.6%
- APC 2 2.6%
- BLOM 1 1.3%
- DCM 1 1.3%
- ATM 1 1.3%
- SAHRA 1 1.3%
Office bearers
Mayor
Ms Matlanatso Lydia Moroane
ANC
Deputy Mayor
n/a
Speaker
Mrs Ruth Raganya
ANC
Chief Whip
Mr Bhunu Malandule
Municipal Manager
Mr Jasper Ngobeni
Chief Financial Officer
Mrs Thembisile Mary-Anne Mathabatha
Mayoral Committee
Mr LS Mhaule
MMC: Public Safety
Mayoral Committee
Mr Malamule Prince Gumede
MMC: Arts, Culture and Sports
Mayoral Committee
Mrs Mathalaza Lizah Lekhuleni
Chairperson: MPAC
Mayoral Committee
Mr Patricia Gubayi
MMC: EDEP
Mayoral Committee
Mr Prince Moxe Sambo
MMC: Technical Services
Mayoral Committee
Mrs Sylvia Mathebula
MMC: Social Development
Mayoral Committee
Mr Thembinkosi William Ngomane
MMC: Corporate Services
Mayoral Committee
Mr Virginia Mzimba
MMC: Finance
Senior Management
Mr Aubrey Mnisi
Director: Community Services
Senior Management
Ms Flomina Timba
Director: Economic Development, Planning and Environment
Senior Management
Mrs Lindiwe Khoza
Director: Corporate Services
Senior Management
Mr Mpho Makhavhu
Acting Director: Technical Services
Senior Management
Mr Solomon Nyembe
Manager: LED
Communications
Mr Aubrey Mnisi
Finances
National Treasury, audited outcomes
| Measure | 2024/25 | 2023/24 | 2022/23 | 2021/22 | 2020/21 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AUDIT OUTCOME | Financially unqualified | Financially unqualified | Financially unqualified | Financially unqualified | Financially unqualified |
Financial performance
| Measure | 2024/25 | 2023/24 | 2022/23 | 2021/22 | 2020/21 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Property rates | 264 677 | 265 723 | 251 708 | 242 892 | 242 455 |
| Service charges | 130 148 | 127 170 | 118 820 | 112 141 | 48 794 |
| Investment revenue | 21 771 | 21 710 | 19 664 | 6 587 | 3 935 |
| Transfers recognised - operational | 1 158 537 | 1 104 494 | 995 032 | 899 143 | 1 039 568 |
| Other own revenue | 228 478 | 195 969 | 179 326 | 129 154 | 109 922 |
| Total Revenue (excluding capital transfers and contributions) | 1 803 611 | 1 715 066 | 1 564 550 | 1 389 917 | 1 444 674 |
| Employee costs | 673 131 | 672 495 | 626 398 | 587 104 | 575 305 |
| Remuneration of councillors | 35 782 | 33 923 | 31 804 | 26 847 | 25 157 |
| Depreciation and amortisation | 269 362 | 183 848 | 150 192 | 124 509 | 142 021 |
| Finance charges | 18 691 | 15 440 | 11 663 | 8 826 | 7 299 |
| Inventory consumed and bulk purchases | 39 663 | 38 456 | 23 253 | 18 242 | 16 864 |
| Transfers and subsidies | 8 211 | 5 658 | 5 817 | 2 304 | 1 247 |
| Other expenditure | 886 032 | 855 651 | 727 787 | 723 693 | 594 975 |
| Total Expenditure | 1 930 871 | 1 805 470 | 1 576 914 | 1 491 524 | 1 362 869 |
| Surplus/(Deficit) | -127 260 | -90 405 | -12 364 | -101 606 | 81 805 |
| Transfers and subsidies - capital (monetary allocations) | 531 924 | 525 456 | 499 127 | 457 852 | 528 584 |
| Transfers and subsidies - capital (in-kind) | - | - | 494 | 1 138 | 381 |
| Surplus/(Deficit) after capital transfers & contributions | 404 664 | 435 051 | 487 257 | 357 384 | 610 770 |
| Share of surplus/(deficit) of associate | - | - | - | - | - |
| Surplus/(Deficit) for the year | 404 664 | 435 051 | 487 257 | 357 384 | 610 770 |
Capital expenditure & funds sources
| Measure | 2024/25 | 2023/24 | 2022/23 | 2021/22 | 2020/21 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capital expenditure | 7 782 852 | 7 293 137 | 645 428 | 5 567 618 | 5 089 807 |
| Transfers recognised - capital | 643 444 | 860 078 | 318 186 | 485 218 | 666 244 |
| Borrowing | - | - | - | - | - |
| Internally generated funds | 7 139 408 | 6 433 059 | 327 242 | 5 082 400 | 527 104 |
| Total sources of capital funds | 7 782 852 | 7 293 137 | 645 428 | 5 567 618 | 1 193 348 |
Financial position
| Measure | 2024/25 | 2023/24 | 2022/23 | 2021/22 | 2020/21 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total current assets | 3 203 111 | 2 664 612 | 2 356 792 | 1 982 544 | 1 682 303 |
| Total non current assets | 6 433 901 | 6 187 364 | 5 559 117 | 4 919 910 | 4 564 696 |
| Total current liabilities | 2 351 762 | 1 984 969 | 1 418 532 | 1 007 141 | 691 919 |
| Total non current liabilities | 134 711 | 114 125 | 108 988 | 42 774 | 5 746 |
| Community wealth/Equity | 6 745 876 | 6 317 831 | 5 901 132 | 5 137 772 | 4 938 564 |
Cash flows
| Measure | 2024/25 | 2023/24 | 2022/23 | 2021/22 | 2020/21 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net cash from (used) operating | -957 111 | -327 418 | -662 592 | 0 | 0 |
| Net cash from (used) investing | -1 072 232 | -463 770 | - | - | - |
| Net cash from (used) financing | - | - | - | - | - |
| Cash/cash equivalents at the year end | -2 019 585 | -782 380 | -309 736 | 5 382 | 2 491 |
Unauthorised, irregular, fruitless & wasteful expenditure
| Measure | 2024/25 | 2023/24 | 2022/23 | 2021/22 | 2020/21 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unauthorised expenditure | - | - | 9 763 | - | - |
| Irregular expenditure | 13 747 | - | 7 187 | 598 973 | 211 536 |
| Fruitless & wasteful expenditure | 10 109 | 7 569 | 1 259 | 4 538 | 32 |
Source: Audited Outcome A1 2026 Q1
People
Statistics South Africa, Census
| Measure | 2022 | 2016 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 750 821 | 546 215 | 538 593 |
Age structure
| Measure | 2022 | 2016 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population under 15 | 32.6% | 39.9% | 37.0% |
| Population 15 to 64 | 61.9% | 55.3% | 57.7% |
| Population over 65 | 5.4% | 4.9% | 5.3% |
Dependency ratio
| Measure | 2022 | 2016 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per 100 (15-64) | 61.5 | 81 | 73.4 |
Sex ratio
| Measure | 2022 | 2016 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males per 100 females | 84.2 | 85.5 | 83.3 |
Population growth
| Measure | 2022 | 2016 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per annum | 3.2% | 0.3% | n/a |
Labour market
| Measure | 2022 | 2016 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment rate (official) | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Youth unemployment rate (official) 15-34 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Education (aged 20 +)
| Measure | 2022 | 2016 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|
| No schooling | 15.0% | 16.2% | 18.7% |
| Matric | n/a | 32.6 | 25.7 |
| Higher education | 5.8% | 5.7% | 7.3% |
Household dynamics
| Measure | 2022 | 2016 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households | 167 927 | 136 780 | 133 559 |
| Average household size | 4.5 | 4 | 4 |
| Female headed households | n/a | 53 | 53.3 |
| Formal dwellings | 98.1% | 96.3% | 95.9% |
| Housing owned | n/a | 81.7 | 73.1 |
Household services
| Measure | 2022 | 2016 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flush toilet connected to sewerage | 23.4% | 6.2% | 8.1% |
| Weekly refuse removal | 20.6% | 4.2% | 7.5% |
| Piped water inside dwelling | 25.9% | 7.4% | 12.0% |
| Electricity for lighting | 98.5% | 96.5% | 93.9% |
Service delivery
National Treasury, non-financial census of municipalities
Water
| Measure | 2022/23 | 2021/22 | 2020/21 | 2019/20 | 2018/19 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Does the municipality provide? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Number of households and non-domestic customers to which provided | 180 332 | 148 050 | 146 992 | 146 992 | 146 992 |
| Number of domestic households/delivery points | 180 060 | 147 778 | 146 720 | 146 720 | 146 720 |
| Inside the yard | 150 565 | 132 150 | 131 092 | 128 119 | 119 835 |
| Less than 200m from yard | 12 360 | 12 896 | 12 896 | 14 536 | 21 685 |
| More than 200m from yard | 17 135 | 2 732 | 2 732 | 4 065 | 5 200 |
| Domestic households with access to free basic service | 3 430 | 3 430 | 3 170 | 863 | 863 |
Electricity
| Measure | 2022/23 | 2021/22 | 2020/21 | 2019/20 | 2018/19 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Does the municipality provide? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Number of households and non-domestic customers to which provided | 176 956 | 176 858 | 176 400 | 151 431 | 147 108 |
| Domestic households with access to free basic service | 3 430 | 3 430 | 3 170 | 863 | 863 |
Sewerage and sanitation
| Measure | 2022/23 | 2021/22 | 2020/21 | 2019/20 | 2018/19 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Does the municipality provide? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Number of households and non-domestic customers to which provided | 148 825 | 135 190 | 133 418 | 133 418 | 131 787 |
| Flush toilet - public sewerage | 31 651 | 7 317 | 7 317 | 7 317 | 6 810 |
| Flush toilet - septic tank | 4 093 | 1 510 | 1 510 | 1 510 | 1 510 |
| Ventilated pit latrine | 112 809 | 126 091 | 124 591 | 124 591 | 123 091 |
| Bucket system | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Domestic households with access to free basic service | 3 430 | 3 430 | 3 170 | 863 | 863 |
Solid waste services
| Measure | 2022/23 | 2021/22 | 2020/21 | 2019/20 | 2018/19 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Does the municipality provide? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Number of households and non-domestic customers to which provided | 55 142 | 48 942 | 37 902 | 37 902 | 37 902 |
| Domestic households with access to free basic service | 3 430 | 3 430 | 3 170 | 863 | 863 |
Staffing
National Treasury
| Measure | 2022/23 | 2021/22 | 2020/21 | 2019/20 | 2018/19 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employment Costs (R’000) | 626 398 | 587 104 | 575 305 | 544 438 | 447 635 |
| Remuneration of councillors (R’000) | 31 804 | 26 847 | 25 157 | 31 111 | 28 924 |
| Total Employee Positions | 1 805 | 1 817 | 1 188 | 1 177 | 1 861 |
| Total Vacant Employee Positions | 718 | 719 | 11 | 0 | 248 |
| Total Vacancy Percentage | 39.8% | 39.6% | 0.9% | 0.0% | 13.3% |
| Managerial Positions – S54A and S56 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Vacant Managerial Positions – S54A and S56 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Managerial Positions - by organogram | 42 | 40 | 28 | 29 | 29 |
| Vacant Managerial Positions - by organogram | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Published documents
Hosted by National Treasury