Negotiations between the ANC and the DA over the Ekurhuleni Metro’s budget have reportedly concluded with an agreement ahead of a crucial June 30 deadline. According to the accounts, the municipality is making a fourth attempt to get the budget approved after three previous attempts failed. The parties’ discussions focus on changes to the proposed financial plan, including adjustments to the level of rate increases. The agreement also includes measures aimed at strengthening financial oversight within the municipality. While details of the full package are not specified in the provided summaries, the reported intent is to secure wider support for the budget to enable it to be adopted on time. The outcome is described as significant for how the metro governs and delivers services, given that failing to approve the budget could affect implementation of planned programmes. With the deadline approaching, Ekurhuleni’s next steps involve processing the agreed budget changes through the municipal budget process to determine whether councillors can pass the budget on the fourth attempt.