The City of Ekurhuleni’s Finance MMC, Clr Doctor Xhakaza, tabled the city’s budget speech at Eden Park on May 24.
Achievements in the past 20 months
• Installation of 2 021 street lights in areas such as Brakpan, KwaThema, Tsakane, Benoni, Daveyton, Etwatwa, Tembisa and Katlehong.
• Installation of 75km of an underground electrical network to ensure the security of supply.
• Roll-out of 32 878 Photovoltaic lighting system at Malandela, Mpilisweni, Alberton station, Masetshaba, Emandleni, Kalamazoo, Newland and Tokyo Sexwale informal settlements.
• 6 290 families received electricity for the first time in Villa Lisa Extention Two, Langaville Ext Six and Eight, Marikana, Thintwa, Phola Park, Winnie Mandela and Holomisa informal settlements. Over 11 000 more are currently being electrified in among others N12, Gugulethu, Everest, Comet and Peter Mokaba.
• 12 451 new water service points were installed.
• Extension of the roll-out of wheelie bins to an additional 147 877 households.
• The city has distributed 1 427 title deeds.
Social package
The city has allocated R3.7-billion to the most vulnerable and indigents, an increase of R600-million compared to the previous financial year.
The budget proposed to increase the value of property exempted from property rates from the first R150 000 to R250 000. Various other grants on assessment rates, such as pensioners’ rebate, rebate to low-income earners, properties zoned for religious purposes, will continue. The complete package of indigent relief:
• 100 per cent rebate on assessment rates.
• Free refuse removal.
• First 100kWh of electricity a month is free in line with national government policy.
• First 9kl of water and sewer a month is free.
• Special rates on emergency services such as ambulance and firefighting.
• Free indigent burial.
Also read:
• No more 6kl free water for many households
• New Ekurhuleni budget: this is what your pocket will feel
• No more 6kl free water for many households
Human Settlements
• R1.2-b has been allocated in the 2018/19 budget and R3.8-b in the medium term revenue and expenditure framework (MTREF) to human settlements.
• Acquisition of land and properties for human settlements is allocated R270-m in 2018/19, and the total allocation over the MTREF is R890-m.
• Electrification of informal settlements is allocated R220-m in the next financial year and R720-m in the MTREF.
• The mega project in Esselen Park – Witfontein (Mega – Tembisa Triangle) – Birchleigh North Ext Four receives R107-m in 2018/19 and R304-m in the next three years.
• Tembisa Ext 25 megaproject, on the former Old Mutual Land, receives R160-m in 2018/19 and R524-m in the next three years.
Roads
Roads have been allocated R678-m in the new financial year and R2-b in the MTREF.
• Fixing of potholes, clearing stormwater drains and resurfacing existing roads is allocated R615-m.
Water and Sanitation
The city has budgeted R623.7-m for the 2018/19 financial year towards water and sanitation. Over the MTREF, the city has set aside R2.1-b. Over the MTREF, this includes, among others:
• R100-m budget for the Pomona Eastern Out Fall Sewer phase three.
• R84-m for replacement of large water consumer meters, as well as R131-m for aged domestic meter replacement.
• R344-m for the refurbishment of ageing infrastructure, fixing of water leaks, sewer blockages and maintenance.
Transport
• New licensing facilities in Katlehong, Edenvale, Tembisa, Vosloorus and Alberton – R353-m over three years.
• The Bus Rapid Transport project will receive R1.4-b over the MTREF.
Community safety
• Construction of Olifantsfontein Fire Station – R20-m in 2018/19 and R26-m in 2019/20.
• Construction of Tembisa Precinct receives R22-m in 2018/19.
• The EMPD receives an allocation of R81.5-m in 2018/19 and R68.8-m for specialised vehicles and upgrading of its various offices and car registration centres.
• R20-m for the recruitment of new emergency services personnel.
• Installation of CCTV system for the safer city project is allocated R17.6-m in 2018/19 and R20-m in 2019/20.
Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture
• The construction of an eco-gym and play area at Makhulong Stadium R1-m.
• Construction of the Windmill Park Recreational Park – R10-m.
Waste and Environmental Management
• R1.3-b in the MTREF and R472-m in the 2018/19 financial year – for the waste and environmental management department.
• Development/upgrade Horwood’s Farm in Edenvale – R10-m in 2018/19 and R42-m over the MTREF.
• Development/upgrade Moriting Park in Tembisa – R18-m in 2018/19 and a total of R45-m in the next three years.
• Rehabilitation of the Boksburg Lake – R20-m in 2018/19 and R55-m over the MTREF.
• ERWAT Waste Water Treatment Works – R50-m in 2018/19 and R150-m over the MTREF.
Cemeteries and open spaces, road reserves
For the upkeep and beautification of open spaces, road reserves and the maintenance of cemeteries, R2.6-b over the MTREF.
