The Democratic Alliance (DA) mayoral candidate Khathutshelo Rasilingwane has raised serious concerns following a recent visit to the Germiston central business district (CBD), describing the state of the area as “disgusting” and unfit to support economic growth.
During the visit, she pointed out that while the Germiston CBD is regarded as the administrative heart of the City of Ekurhuleni, the reality on the ground tells a very different story.
Less than a kilometre from municipal offices, the area is plagued by widespread decay and neglect.
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“The state of the Germiston CBD is unacceptable. This is supposed to be the centre of government in Ekurhuleni, yet just 600 metres away there are hijacked buildings, crumbling infrastructure, illegal dumping, water leaks, and even sewage flowing in the streets, said Khatsutshelo.
The visit highlighted a range of service delivery failures that continue to affect both residents and businesses.
Streets are riddled with potholes, refuse is left uncollected, and overgrown or poorly maintained public spaces contribute to an environment many describe as unsafe and unwelcoming.
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At night, conditions reportedly worsen, with poor or non-existent street lighting leaving parts of the CBD in darkness, raising safety concerns and discouraging economic activity.
The DA candidate criticised the current administration, saying repeated promises by the mayor to rejuvenate the city have not materialised.
“Residents and business owners have heard promises of revitalisation for years, but nothing has changed. Instead, conditions have deteriorated,” the candidate said Rasilingwane .
The presence of hijacked and neglected buildings has further compounded the problem, contributing to crime, illegal occupation, and urban decay in an area that should be a hub of opportunity and development.
According to the DA, the situation reflects a broader failure by the governing coalition to deliver basic services and maintain key economic zones.
“These are not the conditions required to grow the economy or attract investment. It is evident that the current leadership has failed the people of Ekurhuleni,” said Rasilingwane.
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In January, mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza reaffirmed his commitment to lawful governance, vowing to act decisively against the hijacking of municipal buildings across the metro. He said the city would not allow lawlessness to take root through the illegal occupation of properties.
In the State of the City Address in 2024, the mayor promised to revitalise urban centres. The city adopted the following Five Pillar Strategy:
• Development of a comprehensive database of buildings to ascertain the extent of the problem.
• Conduct due diligence, integrity audit and deed searches to ascertain ownership.
• Engage owners, potential investors to formulate strategic partnerships and establishment of a property fund that could be leveraged.
• Leverage the Expropriation Act to navigate the legalities to reassign ownership to potential investors.
• Integration of Precinct Plans to create and reinforce the Ekurhuleni economic outlook.
As frustration mounts, the spotlight is once again on the city’s leadership to respond to the growing concerns and outline concrete steps to restore dignity, safety, and functionality in the Germiston CBD.
