The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality’s executive mayor (EMM), Clr Mondli Gungubele presented several of the metro’s successes for the past year at the recent State of the City address.
Clr Gungubele highlighted the collaboration between the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) and the SAPS to combat crime within the metro.
The collaboration resulted in the arrests of criminals involved with cash-in-transit heists, ATM bombings, business and residential burglaries.
In addition, because of a period of poor disciplinary records, the EMPD recently approved and implemented a turnaround strategy.In the area of social development, nine of Ekurhuleni’s clinics now operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“In the drive to continue expanding access to primary healthcare, 98 health care facilities of various kinds and levels across the EMM are in place, which were built since 1994.”
As regards health care and treatment, Clr Gungubele said the national TB treatment and cure rate is 85 percent, and Ekurhuleni achieved 87 percent.
He said seven mobile clinics were procured to extend health access to informal settlements. The EMM also built daycare centres for the elderly across the city, one of which is in Tembisa.
In an aim to boost the EMM’s development programmes, Clr Gungubele said the Ekurhuleni Aerotropolis Business Consultative and Investment Conference is scheduled for June.
“The conference will be used to engage further with developers, investors and social partners towards the implementation of the Aerotropolis programme and other related city development programmes,” said Clr Gungubele.
“A consortium of five domestic and international companies has been appointed to help develop a five year Ekurhuleni Aerotropolis Strategic Implementation Plan and ultimately, a 30 year master plan,” he said.
A Township Economics Development Strategy and Neighbourhood Development Project was finalised in order for economic development. As a result, eight township business hubs have been refurbished and are being made operational at a cost of R50-million. The EMM is also investing in the development of another five new township business hubs and informal trading markets.
With the collection of rates and taxes, Clr Gungubele said a 92 percent collection rate was achieved, just under the EMM’s target of 93 percent. He said it is critical to ensure the ICT network supports all revenue processes with stability, at all times.
“The ICT department is attending to this and is improving our performance. Our intention is to have as many ratepayers as possible migrate to the e-Siyakhokha platform. This will benefit ratepayers by allowing convenient access to bills. The online platform also allows for convenient payment of rates and taxes,” he said.
In a bid to reduce unemployment, a three year development contract to the value of R70-million was injected in the 20 Vukuphile Learner Contractors programme.
“The first phase of the programme has seen 25 learner contractors and 50 learner supervisors being recruited, trained and developed,” said Clr Gungubele.
He said 19 contractors and 29 supervisors completed the programme, which cost the municipality R57-million.
Approximately R137-million was spent in 2013/2014 through the Community Retention Earnings programme, with an additional R100-million channeled in local communities and businesses.
“This is to encourage entrepreneurship, new venture creation and private sector participation in stimulating economic activity and innovation, particularly in townships,” said Clr Gungubele.
