By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Ekurhuleni executive mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza has set aside nearly R2bn over the medium-term revenue and expenditure framework (MTREF) for various service delivery initiatives.
Xhakaza delivered the State of the City Address (Soca) in Germiston on Thursday.
The city is facing persistent service delivery challenges — unreliable water supply, frequent power outages, and the deteriorating roads.
Last week’s Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) officers embarked on an illegal strike highlighted the city’s financial struggle.
The protest arose from dissatisfaction over reduced overtime allowances, salary disparities, and perceived inequities compared to neighbouring municipalities.
The city responded by stating the cutbacks are part of cost-cutting measures aimed at stabilising finances, including reducing catering expenses, cutting contracted services, and optimising internal human resources.
The metro is governed by the African National Congress (ANC), and is in coalition with other political parties, including the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).
A commotion broke out in the Ekurhuleni council chambers on Thursday when members of the EFF disrupted his address.
As Xhakaza prepared to speak, the EFF councillors stood up from their seats, raising placards highlighting various challenges in the city.
The Speaker Nthabiseng Tshivhenga had to adjourn the sitting for a short while before Xhakaza could deliver his address.
During his address, Xhakaza condemned last week’s strike by EMPD over working conditions.
“This was an unprecedented act by any law enforcement institution in the country.” he said.
“We do promise South Africans that stern and decisive action will be taken against those involved in this shameless act.”
Xhakaza said the unemployment rate of 33.7% is above the national average and is disproportionally higher amongst the youth aged 18 to 34.
He said Ekurhuleni has succeeded in creating 18 000 job opportunities for women and young people through programmes such as the Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP) among others.
The mayor allocated nearly R200 million for the completion of eight water reservoirs within the municipality.
He revealed that the eight reservoirs currently under construction are nearing completion.
The reservoirs will provide water to Tembisa, Germiston, and other elevated areas in the metro.
“In the current financial year, R196 million has been available for the completion of 8 reservoirs, which are currently at various stages of construction – between 70% and 90%.”
Xhakaza said they are making progress in eradicating the bucket toilet system in informal settlements, patching potholes, curbing illegal electricity connections and cable theft that affect the functioning of traffic and street lights.
He acknowledged that potholes are becoming a growing burden for the metro.
He said the metro is working to address the issue through the Hlasela Ama Pothole campaign, which he said has helped repair hundreds of potholes recently.
“In our efforts to improve the road network in the region, immediate attention will go towards aging roads, road signs, bridges, and culverts.”
Xhakaza said one of the city’s biggest service delivery challenges is fleet management, and the metro will review its fleet management model to adopt a more efficient and sustainable approach.
“Consideration of cameras, tracking technology and other innovations are at the forefront of the innovations we plan to introduce in the city.”
He said all affected departments must build internal capacity for workshops as part of a hybrid model.
“The Roads and Transport Management Department must introduce devices on all outsourced vehicles for route tracking and monitoring purposes.”
However, some opposition parties expressed disappointment, saying he failed to spell out how he intends to tackle the service delivery problems plaguing the city.