eThekwini allocates R10-billion for infrastructure rebuilding
The eThekwini Municipality has committed R10 billion to rebuild essential infrastructure as the city continues to battle with providing adequate water and sanitation services to residents.
EThekwini Municipality has committed approximately R10 billion to the rebuilding of its ailing water, electricity, and solid waste management infrastructure.
This comes after Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, announced a R3.33 billion grant allocation to eThekwini, designated for trading services reforms over the next three years. “This substantial investment underscores our unwavering commitment to restoring and enhancing essential services for our residents,” said eThekwini Municipality spokesperson Gugu Sisilana. “The reforms will initially focus on water and electricity from the 2025/26 financial year, with the aim of ensuring self-sufficiency in trading services.”
Amid inclement and ailing infrastructure, over the years eThekwini has been battling with maintaining their sewage systems and water supply networks. Over flowing sewage and leaking pipe remain a major cause for concern within the city battling to recover from flood damage. Godongwana’s performance grant is intended to upgrade water and sanitation, electricity, and solid waste management systems, thus ensuring that these trading services become self-sufficient in the long term.
Also Read: President orders SIU probe into eThekwini Water and Sanitation maladministration
Sisilana said the funds will boost the municipality’s comprehensive Water and Sanitation Turnaround Strategy (TAS). “The TAS is a critical component of our broader strategy to transform the EThekwini Water and Sanitation (EWS) Unit into a ring-fenced commercial business unit,” said Sisilana. “We are effectively laying the foundation for a more accountable, efficient, and resilient service delivery model.”
In addition to the TAS, the City has developed a detailed Business and Investment Plan, along with an Institutional and Governance Reform Roadmap. This roadmap is anchored by six strategic pillars, which are crucial to the reform of the EWS:
- Institutionalisation of a single point of accountability
- Acquisition of management, technical, and change leadership capabilities
- Improvement of the governance model
- Enhancement of service delivery performance
- Financial sustainability and investment attraction
- Community engagement and stakeholder management
“We are committed to acquiring the necessary management, technical, and leadership capabilities to drive these changes effectively,” said Sisilana. “We recognise the critical importance of these services to the well-being and prosperity of our community.” She added, “Our aim is to create a sustainable, efficient, and innovative service delivery model that meets the needs of our citizens now and into the future.”
For more from Berea Mail, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.
Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here
