Frustrations over ongoing service delivery delays were the focal point of last Thursday’s Ekurhuleni council meeting, with councillors questioning when tangible improvements would be seen.
Many expressed concern over the slow pace of progress in addressing critical infrastructure issues, directing their questions at the MMC responsible for essential services and the mayor.
Ward 92 Clr Kade Guerreiro raised a specific concern about the deteriorating water infrastructure in Sunnyridge, citing the alarming condition of the local water tower.
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“The infrastructure is ageing, and the old tower has visible cracks, raising concerns about its stability.
“There are four leaks in the tower. This is an urgent issue that needs immediate attention. When will the new tower be built?” asked Guerreiro.
He highlighted that the current tower cannot store enough water to last residents more than two days during outages.
Responding to these concerns, MMC for Water and Sanitation Thembi Msane acknowledged the issue and provided an update.
“We are aware of the water tower problems. A contractor has been appointed, and the project to build a new tower is scheduled to begin in the 2026/27 financial year,” said Msane.
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She added that the current tower can only be filled to 40% of its capacity to prevent collapse, but reassured that its structural integrity is being monitored closely.
Councillors also raised the state of Ekurhuleni’s central business districts (CBDs), questioning when rehabilitation would begin and whether a budget had been allocated for these projects.
Ald Nomadlozi Nkosi, MMC for Developmental Planning and Real Estate, revealed that no budget had been set aside for the rehabilitation of Ekurhuleni’s CBDs, despite it being one of the mayor’s six key pillars, which include infrastructure repair and maintenance.
The unfinished projects across the city, such as the Chris Hani Museum in Dawn Park and the municipal building opposite the Germiston Police Station, were also discussed.
Councillors expressed frustration that these incomplete projects are becoming “white elephants,” standing in stark contrast to the mayor’s promise to restore political stability, improve service delivery and rebuild the city’s infrastructure.
The continued delays have left many councillors questioning when residents will see the benefits of the mayor’s commitments, as service delivery issues remain a pressing concern across Ekurhuleni.
