Emfuleni fails to spend R636 million critical infrastructure funds
The Emfuleni Local Municipality’s failure to spend critical infrastructure funds is being condemned by the opposition party.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) says the Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) has failed to spend a staggering R636 185 737.37 of its Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG), despite facing a financial crisis that has led to the collapse of infrastructure and overall service delivery.
This information was revealed by the Gauteng MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Jacob Mamabolo, in a written reply to the DA in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL).
According to MEC Mamabolo, Emfuleni was given R914 114 000.00 in the past five financial years but only spent R278 228 262.63. The municipality completed 12 of its targeted 19 infrastructure projects with the MIG in the period under review.
According to Kingsol Chabalala, a member of the provincial legislature and the DA’s Emfuleni North Constituency Head, this represents a missed opportunity to tackle the significant infrastructural challenges facing this municipality.
“The money could have been used to complete unfinished projects, improve sewer lines, and repair roads riddled with potholes. Sadly, it has been returned, leaving the residents of Emfuleni to endure severe hardships,” says Chabalala.
According to Chabalala Emfuleni residents deserve more than empty promises.
“They deserve a responsive, accountable government that prioritises their basic needs and manages public resources with transparency and integrity. The ongoing water outages, deteriorating infrastructure, and financial mismanagement have deprived residents of their dignity and right to basic services,” Chabalala says.
According to Chabalala, the DA’s comprehensive turnaround strategy will prioritise strict financial controls, merit-based appointments of qualified professionals, and performance targets to restore essential services.
“By implementing proven municipal management practices and building a competent team of public servants, we will transform Emfuleni into a municipality that delivers reliable services and creates opportunities for all its residents,” Chabalala concluded.
