Mayor Mhlonishwa Masilela, in his State of the Municipality Address today, expressed his sympathy to the family of the murdered Johanna Mlangeni, who was stabbed to death on July 31. He told the men in attendance, “When a woman is empowered, everyone is empowered; when a woman prospers, everyone prospers; and when a woman stands up, we all stand up. Let us love our women, the glue of our nation.”

Looking back at the 2024/2025 financial year, Mayor Masilela said that the municipality has fostered an inclusive public participation process regarding tariff increases. While water and electricity increases remain a concern, the municipality listened to the people and decided to reduce water increases from 8% to 5%.

The mayor added that the municipality “hears you” as he compared the proposed and approved tariff increases:

• Proposed 2025/26 – Approved 2025/26
• Property rates: 4.40% – kept at 4.40%
• Water: 8.5% – kept at 5%
• Sewerage: 5% – kept at 5%
• Refuse Removal: 5% – kept at 5%
• Electricity: 15% – reduced to 12%

Regarding billing, the mayor said, “I want to acknowledge that there are those who are still complaining about our billing system. In response to that, we have an app which allows any community member to download it. Once downloaded, you can use it to take readings for yourself and forward those readings to the municipality before billing takes place.”

On the indigent list, he said, “I would like to make a call to all those who are unable to afford the payment of municipal services to check with our officials if they can qualify to be registered as indigents in our consumer database, in terms of our indigent policy, so that they can be assisted accordingly by the municipality in paying for their municipal services.”

Out of 268 applications, only 77 were denied from the indigent database for not meeting the requirements.

Key Projects Highlighted

The following projects were highlighted:

Projects completed through Local Economic Development (LED) initiatives:

• Boreholes: Izimbiwa Mining installed five boreholes in Ward 29, and IPP Mining installed six boreholes in Ward 7.
• Canteen: The completion of the canteen at NODE D has created a hub for local economic activity. It provides both jobs and a platform to attract more investments.
• Manyano Primary School: Seriti Mining upgraded the ablution and sports facilities at the school.
• ECD Centre: Seriti Mining upgraded classrooms at the Early Childhood Development Centre in Ext 24.
• LD Moetanalo Secondary School Hall: Built by Corobrik.
• Mobile Clinic: Donated by Exxaro and Arnot OPCO in Rietkuil.

The municipality has set aside a budget of R2.7 million to help small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) by providing tools and equipment.

Seriti Mining has committed to establishing a flea market to the value of R3 million that will give emerging traders a formal space to sell their goods.

Implemented Capital Projects

The municipality implemented the following capital projects with a total value of R47.7 million:

1. New MPCC Rockdale: Phases 1 and 2, Ward 6, R18.5m.
2. Roads and Storm Water Kwazamokuhle: Ward 2, R5.1m.
3. Replacement of sewer lines: Wards 8 and 11, R3m.
4. Storm Water Mhluzi: Wards 1, 6, 18, 22, 23, and 24, R2.9m.
5. Low flushing toilets: Rondebosch x10, Mafube x 6, Komati x 25, Uitkyk x 5, Doornkop x 5, Madonoro x5, Hillside x 1 – R1.2m.
6. Replacement of sewer lines: Hendrina and Kwazamokuhle, Ward 2, R1m.
7. Construction of Roads: Sol Plaatjie x 49, Ward 11, R14.1m.
8. Drilling of boreholes: Doornkop and Somaphepha, Wards 9 and 29, R1.9m.

Electrical Projects:

1. Installation of high mast light: Ward 8, R9.3m.
2. Installation of high mast light: Ward 6, R1.1m.
3. Electrification network: Newtown, Ward 27, R1.8m.
4. Electrification network: Dennesig, Ward 17, R10m.

Planned Infrastructure Projects for 2025/26

Steve Tshwete Local Municipality has a list of infrastructure projects to be implemented or delivered during the 2025/26 financial year with an estimated budget of R64 million. They are outlined as follows:

1. Refurbishment and upgrading of Water Treatment Works: Vaalbank, R1m.
2. Refurbishment and Upgrading of Waste Water Treatment Works: Blinkpan, R20m.
3. Refurbishment of Waste Water Treatment Works: Komati, R3.5m.
4. Construction of Roads and Storm Water: Ward 2, R500,000.
5. Construction of Roads and Storm Water: Ward 17, R6m.
6. Extension of Middelburg landfill site: R3m.
7. Upgrading of Pump station: Ward 1, R1m.
8. Installation of Biological toilets: R3.8m.
   • Ward 5: R800,000
   • Ward 7: R600,000
   • Ward 9: R600,000
   • Ward 29: R500,000
   • Ward 4: R300,000
   • Ward 28: R500,000
9. Drilling of boreholes: R3.5m.
   • Wards 5: R850,000
   • Ward 7: R850,000
   • Ward 9: R900,000
   • Ward 29: R900,000
10. Storm Water: R4.5m.
    • Ward 3: R500,000
    • Ward 18: R500,000
    • Ward 20: R500,000
    • Ward 21: R500,000
    • Ward 23: R500,000
    • Ward 24: R500,000
    • Ward 25: R500,000
    • Ward 26: R500,000
    • Ward 28: R500,000
11. Upgrading of Pump Stations: Wards 27 and 28, R2m.
12. Replacement of old Water network: R2.5m.
    • Ward 13: R500,000
    • Ward 16: R1m
    • Ward 22: R500,000
    • Ward 27: R500,000
13. Installation of new Water line: Ward 1, R3m.
14. Installation of high mast lights: R9.8m.
    • Ward 3: R1m
    • Ward 4: R2m
    • Ward 6: R2.8m
    • Ward 9: R2m
    • Ward 10: R1m
    • Ward 21: R1m

Anticipated Revenue

The municipal anticipated revenue for the 2025/26 financial year is R2.8 billion, broken down by the following revenue sources:

• Service Charges – Electricity: R1,081m
• Service Charges – Property Rates: R677.7m
• Service Charges – Water: R142.5m
• Service Charges – Sanitation: R115.3m
• Service Charges – Refuse: R131.1m
• Government Grants (Opex): R383.9m
• Government Grants (Capex): R189.6m