SOCA | Electricity substation challenges and unstable finances remain top of Tshwane metro’s plans, says mayor
Economic recovery, refurbishment of power substations that experienced fire outbreaks and other essential services delivery projects remain the municipality’s struggles which it says it aims to address in the upcoming financial year.
Upgrading electricity substations, some of which experienced fire outbreaks last year, while ensuring stable finances remain the Tshwane metro’s main concern which mayor Randall Williams has vowed would be addressed this upcoming financial year.
Although he was delayed by ANC and EFF councillors unhappy over speaker Dr Murunwa Makwarela presiding over the meeting, while under investigation on allegations of misconduct, Williams still managed to deliver his annual State-of-the-Capital address.
While the metro managed to reduce the R4.3-billion deficit to R613-million, the municipality’s financial stability remained a key focus.
“We are pushing for a stronger financial position for the end of June this year,” he said.
“We intend to end the year with a surplus of about R25-million.”
The original deficit was incurred during the tenure of the temporary administrators that led the metro between March-October 2020.
The administrators blamed the spending on the purchase of land for Mamelodi flood victims, the Hammanskraal water crisis resolution plan and Covid-19 response programmes.
Williams said the metro’s revenue collection campaign, which involved switching off services to non-paying consumers (that included embassies, government departments and households) has recovered R700-million.
The campaign has since come to a halt during a strike by employees at the end of March.
Williams called on residents to pay their bills on time to ensure that the municipality continued to operate and provide services.
“The Covid-19 pandemic made conditions tough for economic growth and employment opportunities. The Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) has been a key driver for employment opportunities in the metro,” he said.
As of February 2022, the municipality created 11 725 job opportunities, Williams said.
“We are still committed to our goal to create 17 975 jobs before the end of this financial year.”
Williams said the Presidency’s recently launched second phase of the employment stimulus package, which included upscaling the National Treasury’s public employment programme, would provide more jobs.
“The programme provides additional financing to metropolitan municipalities and other public entities to use public employment to mitigate the negative impact of high unemployment and ongoing job losses as a result of Covid-19.”
In the next financial year, the metro was expecting an allocation of R140-million from the National Treasury.
“It is a key programme in the fight against poverty and unemployment, providing our residents with much-needed income-earning opportunities,” Williams said.
– Tshwane plans to address power issues and substations that experienced fire outbreaks.
While the metro invested over R134-million into the Wapadrand substation refurbishment, Williams said other substations would also be prioritised.
Residents of the east of Pretoria over the past few months experienced consistent power outages after the substation burnt last year.
“We’ve had our hands full working round the clock when the substation plunged the surrounding areas into darkness for days on end. This was a difficult time for all. Through this refurbishment, we intend to ensure we prevent further service interruptions in future,” Williams said.
He said the Mooikloof substation refurbishment plans were at an advanced stage as the appointment of the main contractor for the project was completed.
“The site will be handed over before the end of June.”
He said the metro was also prioritising the Pyramid, Kentron and Rosslyn substations.
– Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW) and Hammanskraal residents’ promise of clean water.
Williams said the metro was making progress with phase one of the R325-million plant project upgrade. This would improve the plant’s capacity and ensure that Hammanskraal residents have drinkable water. A recent South African Human Rights report slammed the quality of drinking water in the area.
Williams said an estimated R2.6-billion was needed for the second phase of the project and the metro was still in talks with the Department of Water and Sanitation about a partnership.
“This project will ensure that the local farming community and residents have potable water,” he said.
The maintenance and refurbishment of waste-water treatment plants will ensure that the metro can prevent the further pollution of rivers, he said.
While the metro faced longstanding service delivery issues, Williams said a focus on basic service delivery was essential.
“We strongly believe that the day-to-day operations of the City must be enhanced and improved upon.”
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