Mayor’s promises questioned as opposition points to service delivery crisis

Opposition parties have declared the mayor’s address a pipe dream, arguing that the speech failed to reflect the realities of residents who are suffering from a lack of service delivery.

Councillors said they had expected an address that demonstrated firm progress and decisive leadership. Instead, they contend that residents continue to experience service delivery failures that contradict the mayor’s assurances.

DA City of Ekurhuleni caucus leader, Brandon Pretorius, acknowledged some recent administrative improvements, including the city manager’s visible action in early January.

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“In the first weeks of January, we saw some much-needed administrative action taking place, and it would be remiss of me not to give credit where credit is due. That action has been noticed, and it is welcomed, “said Pretorius.

He said, however, that what they now require is not only action, but a proactive approach. One example cited was the deterioration of the Boksburg Stadium, which had become unusable until political pressure prompted mayoral intervention.

The eventual repairs ensured that schools could once again use the facility during peak athletics season. Pretorius argued that basic maintenance should not depend on sustained pressure from the opposition.

“The city cannot continue to operate reactively; it must become proactive,” said Pretorius.

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He said isolated interventions do not amount to systemic improvement. The DA also raised concerns about the city’s financial position, highlighting the R13 billion owed to trade creditors, as confirmed by Gauteng MEC for Finance Lebogang Maile.

They linked this debt directly to widespread service failures, including persistent traffic light outages across major routes in Ekurhuleni.

According to the opposition, residents are paying the price through longer commuting times, increased road accidents and mounting frustration, while service providers reportedly switch off infrastructure due to non-payment.

He said infrastructure neglect from collapsed sewer and stormwater systems poses serious health and safety risks, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall.

The opposition criticised the city’s handling of illegal mining, saying failure to act proactively had led to landfill closures, increased illegal dumping and damage to key transport routes such as the N12 and Snake Road.

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They said illegal mining becomes a municipal responsibility when it undermines infrastructure and public safety.

The DA response also referenced the Madlanga Commission’s preliminary report, which found prima facie evidence of wrongdoing involving several current and former City of Ekurhuleni officials, including senior members of the EMPD and the former city manager. Opposition councillors urged swift action, warning against prolonged suspensions that continue to drain public funds.

Billing issues were another major concern, with councillors accusing the city of implementing hyper-inflated electricity and water estimates that are financially crippling households.

They argued that estimated billing, coupled with a dysfunctional prepaid electricity system, is pushing residents deeper into poverty at a time when unemployment and indigence remain high.

Statistics cited in the response indicate that 47.1% of households in Ekurhuleni earn below-average incomes, 37.1% of residents are unemployed, and around 20% of households are severely indigent. Against this backdrop, the DA said unreliable services and rising costs strip residents of dignity and quality of life.

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Pretorius painted a grim picture of everyday conditions: sewage-filled streets, neglected parks and cemeteries, unsafe public spaces and roads so damaged that vehicle repairs have become an added cost for struggling families.

“A proactive city is not just about service delivery. It is about restoring dignity,” said Pretorius. ActionSA also share the same sentiments that service delivery is still a dream for many residents.