Ekurhuleni Mayoral Race: Khumalo pledges safer streets and better roads

Caxton Local Media invited Ekurhuleni mayoral candidates, as confirmed at the time of publication, to participate in a question-and-answer interview, giving voters a chance to learn more about their plans, priorities, and hopes for the city ahead of the Local Government Elections on November 4.
The views expressed in these questionnaires are those of the respective candidates and do not represent the views of Caxton Local Media or any of its publications.
The answers are intended solely to provide voters with information about the candidates contesting the election and to help them make informed choices at the polls.

Ekurhuleni ActionSA mayoral candidate Xolani Khumalo:
Q: Ekurhuleni is a major industrial and economic hub. What is your strategy for protecting existing jobs and attracting new investment?
A: “The relationship between government and business in this city must be restored and rebuilt on trust. Firstly, the city must pay its service providers on time. No business that has rendered a service to the city should have to take the city to court to be paid. That culture must end. Secondly, basic services in our industrial areas must be consistent. Businesses cannot be productive without reliable water and electricity. Consistency is the foundation of productivity. Most importantly, Ekurhuleni must be safe again. Businesses can only thrive where safety is guaranteed. We cannot have a situation where businesses are forced to spend a fortune on private security – money that should be used to expand operations and recruit more workers. My strategy is simple: rebuild good relations with businesses and guarantee a safe environment for them to operate and grow.”

Q: The metro has faced persistent challenges around electricity, water infrastructure, roads and ageing municipal assets. Which infrastructure problem will you tackle first, and why?
A: “Driving in Ekurhuleni has become an unpleasant experience. Many of our roads are riddled with potholes, while a number of streets still do not have proper tarred roads at all. I will implement an aggressive road construction programme to tar those streets, coupled with a systematic programme to patch potholes and resurface roads that require resurfacing. Furthermore, I will commission a feasibility study to determine the most cost-effective method of delivering this programme, ensuring that the bulk of the budget goes towards actual construction and not into the pockets of tenderpreneurs.”

Q: Ekurhuleni has a large number of informal settlements. What is your plan to improve basic services while addressing longer-term housing needs?
A: “The starting point will be to re-block informal settlements to enable the city to provide basic services. The long-term plan to address the housing backlog will be to reclaim hijacked buildings in inner-city areas such as Kempton Park, Benoni and Germiston, and repurpose them into decent, affordable housing units.”

Q: What is your plan to improve the metro’s financial position and ensure that municipal spending translates into visible service delivery?
A: “Firstly, I will restore the culture of payment in the city. My administration will engage directly with residents across Ekurhuleni, particularly in areas where the revenue collection rate is low. We understand that restoring the culture of payment requires regaining the trust of our residents. That trust can only be rebuilt by demonstrating decisive action against corruption – those found to be corrupt will be dismissed. Every cent will be accounted for, no approved project will be allowed to exceed its contracted value, and no project will be left incomplete.”

Q: Ekurhuleni will have a large number of candidates contesting ward seats in the 2026 elections. What will you expect your ward councillors to deliver for residents, and how will you hold them accountable for service delivery, community engagement and responding to local problems?
A: “I expect my ward councillors to maintain an open-door policy with residents. Community engagements must be held on a monthly basis, and every Council meeting must be used as an opportunity to raise community concerns. With regard to capital projects, these must be informed by direct input from residents. Any councillor who fails to deliver and to adhere to the standards set by the party will be removed, irrespective of whether they are a ward councillor.”

Q: If we interview you again at the end of the 2026–2031 term, what specific measurable result should we be able to hold you accountable for?
A: “I would have insourced security guards and cleaners; no active tender will be servicing security and cleaning services. At least 1 500 new EMPD cadets will be added to the current 3 000 EMPD workforce. I will also establish a narcotics unit within the EMPD to specifically respond to drug-related issues and ensure those found dealing are prosecuted. The crime statistics will decrease significantly as my administration will focus extensively on ensuring Ekurhuleni is safe for residents. Lastly, a number of hijacked buildings will be expropriated, refurbished and turned into housing units that will be allocated to deserving residents as part of a programme to reduce informal settlements.”