With progressive budget
factors of concern to the auditor general and a reduction of unauthorised expenditure from R65million to zero. The cash position of the city remains above the R5-billion mark at R5.2-billion,” said Xhakaza.
The MMC said there will be no room for financial mismanagement and corruption in the city of Ekurhuleni.
“We must continue to improve our coffers so that we have enough money to implement our programmes. We need a very strong backroom operation system, anchored by relevant and reliable staff, with skills to serve the people,” he said.
Xhakaza also announced that the bus rapid transit (BRT) service, Harambee, which is behind schedule, had been allocated R1.4-billion.
There have been challenges, but the city aims to operationalise the service before the end of the financial year.
“We have been able to unlock some project management challenges that we have experienced. The BRT is now nicely in motion. The bus is in the testing phase. We are now busy concluding bus stations and stream crossing,” said Xhakaza.
The Harambee BRT system is expected to link cities and towns such as Boksburg, Kempton Park and Germiston in Ekurhuleni.
Xhakaza also revealed that R615-million will go towards the fixing of potholes, clearing of the storm water drainage system and resurfacing of already existing roads.
Thousands of people living at the Malandela, Mpilisweni, Alberton station, Masetshaba, Emandleni, Kalamazoo, Newland and Tokyo Sexwale informal settlements, among others, today enjoy solar lighting from the city’s rollout of 32 878 photovoltaic lighting systems.
Xhakaza said about 6 290 families have electricity following the reticulation of homes in Villa Lisa Ext 2, Langeville Extensions 6 and 8, Marikana, Thintwa, Phola Park, Winnie Mandela and Holomisa informal settlements. Illegally connected power cables, largely running underground at Enhlanzeni and Vusimuzi informal settlements in Tembisa, have been removed to reduce power supply interruptions in the area and surroundings.
Over 11 000 more homes are being electrified in N12, Gugulethu, Everest, Comet & Peter Mokaba townships, he announced.
“The city will increase electricity [tariffs] by between 5.32% and 8.5%, subject to usage. We are also proposing a 12.96% increase in water; this is the same increase which was announced by Rand Water,” said Xhakaza. Sanitation tariffs, he said, will increase by 9%.
“This is informed by the cost of sewer purification processes undertaken by Erwat [East Rand Water Care Association]. The refuse removal tariff will increase by 7.5% for all users.”
He said there will not be an increase in tariffs of library and information services, library auditoriums, cemetery and crematoria, the use of arts, culture and heritage facilities and the hire of parks and facilities.
“We will continue to provide services at tariffs that are cost-effective but also take into account the affordability levels for our citizens,” he said.
Xhakaza said the revised indigent support policy increased the threshold for qualification from R3 200 to R5 090.
“This will increase the number of people who qualify for services,” he said.
“To assist the indigent, the amount exempt from property rates increases to R150 000 from R100 000. The city will allocate R1.2-billion to human settlements which will cover the acquisition of land and properties, electrification of informal settlements and the development of mega projects. The maintenance of hostels and rental stock will receive R70-million.”
Xhakaza said to upgrade energy infrastructure, the energy department will receive R576million to enhance the networks in Alberton, Benoni, Boksburg, Brakpan, KwaThema and Daveyton.
“It will also assist to broaden lighting to Katlehong, Etwatwa, KwaThema, Springs, Vosloorus and Tembisa. We will set aside R678-million towards the improvement of the road network, with R2-billion in a threeyear period,” he added.