Section 24 of the Local Government Municipal Finance Management Act No. 56 of 2003 (MFMA) states that, the council of a municipality must for each financial year approve an annual budget for the municipality before the start of the financial year.

Section 24(1) further states that, in order for a municipality to comply with subsection (1), the mayor of the municipality must table the annual budget at a council meeting at least 30 days before the start of the budget year.

Regulation 9 of the Municipal Budget and Reporting Regulations (MBRR) further prescribes that the annual budget and supporting documentation of a municipality must be in the format specified in Schedule A and include all the required tables, charts and explanatory information, taking into account any guidelines issued by the Minister in terms of Section 168 (1) of the act.

Section 16(1) of the Local Government Municipal Finance Management Act No. 56 of 2003 (MFMA) states that, the council of a municipality must for each financial year approve an annual budget for the municipality before the start of the financial year.

Section 16(2) further states that, in order for a municipality to comply with subsection (1), the mayor of the municipality must table the annual budget at a council meeting at least 90 days before the start of the budget year.