Kagiso Lerutla, city manager of the City of Ekurhuleni, has committed himself to improving service delivery and says this is the legacy he wants to leave behind when he leaves office.

Many have said this is a PR exercise, but Lerutla has expressed that he is committed to improving service delivery, hence trading his suits for overalls. He has been visiting depots since early February as part of his flagship Fixing the Frontline programme.

The initiative focuses on restoring efficiency, strengthening capacity, and supporting frontline workers.

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“This campaign is about ensuring residents receive reliable and responsive municipal services. By visiting these depots, we are engaging with workers on the ground to see how we can better equip them and provide the necessary tools of trade to ensure service delivery,” said the city manager.

He said the city is currently over-reliant on contractors and aims to change that over the next three years, aiming to have 80% of services handled in-house.

“We are building our own capacity, and that is part of a three-year plan starting in the current financial year,” shared Lerutla.

He expressed that the campaign has been well received by workers, as it has allowed them to engage directly with management.

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“Workers are engaging with us during our visits at the depots, expressing that it has long been their wish to engage management and help them understand the challenges they face,” said Lerutla.

As the programme continues, the city manager is already providing feedback to some of the depots he has visited, including the Germiston Roads Depot.

He returned to visit the depot on February 24 to provide direct feedback to staff following earlier engagements.

The visit formed part of the city manager’s ongoing effort to return to key operational sites.

During the visit, Lerutla reaffirmed his commitment to empowering frontline teams and ensuring that promises made are translated into tangible action.

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Staff welcomed his return, expressing appreciation for his transparency and follow-through, particularly in addressing challenges that had previously hindered their work.

Accompanied by senior leadership, including heads of key departments responsible for service delivery, strategy, roads and transport, and finance, the city manager shared progress on several critical interventions.

Among the key updates was confirmation that repairs to the Germiston depot are scheduled to begin in July, a development expected to significantly improve working conditions and operational efficiency.

Compliant Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was delivered, ensuring workers are properly equipped to carry out their duties safely. This intervention addresses longstanding safety concerns and demonstrates the city’s commitment to protecting its workforce.

One of the most significant announcements was the plan to establish a city-owned asphalt plant.

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This strategic investment by the City of Ekurhuleni will reduce reliance on external contractors, minimise delays in road repairs, and enable faster turnaround times for maintenance and rehabilitation projects.

The plant is also expected to provide a more cost-effective solution while improving the overall quality of road infrastructure.

The visit follows the recent delivery of four new seven-seater, four-ton double-cab trucks, bringing the Roads Department fleet to nine vehicles.

This expanded fleet will enhance mobility and enable teams to respond more efficiently to service requests across Germiston and surrounding areas.

The Fixing the Frontline programme continues to highlight proactive leadership and a renewed focus on strengthening the city’s operational backbone. Germiston City News questioned the city manager about the campaign’s costs. He said the programme has not yet been quantified. “We are focused on running the programme and ensuring everything is up and running.”