The metro’s council approved a budget adjustment to respond to the immediate needs of its communities at the council meeting held recently.
The adjustment budget saw 700 matriculants receiving bursaries after the metro’s bursary fund was increased from R10-million to R100-m.
This, to address the status quo, which statistically projects that Ekurhuleni’s population will have far fewer post-matric qualifications.
Emerging businesses and non-government organisations also stand to receive substantial financial aid, as council also increased the grant funding from R20-m to R100-m through the budget adjustment.
“We have done so because we have been to our communities, we have visited all sectors of our society and we were persuaded to attend to these urgent needs,” said Ekurhuleni’s executive mayor, Clr Mzwandile Masina.
Critical amongst the people’s needs were the issues of land and housing.
The metro has 119 informal settlements.
Council resolved to procure strategic land parcels in order to deliver on the commitment to build 100 000 houses and 59 000 service stands.
This required the budget to be adjusted accordingly.
The procurement of land includes various land parcels in Dalpark Extension 18, Mayfield Extension 46 and Palm Ridge Extensions 10 and 12.
This required R116-m plus an additional R27-m to complete the Sethokga family unit complex.
To accelerate the delivery of social housing units, an additional amount of R44-m is provided in the adjustment budget.
In continuing to provide dignity to the people, the budget adjustment took into account the need to fast-track the sewer bulk systems, which required approximately R31-m.
The mayor also indicated that it was no secret that the metro has recently experienced an increase in land invasions.
“It would be absurd to expect the city to fold its arms in the face of pure lawlessness, which seeks to sabotage the delivery of houses to the rightful beneficiaries.
“We have, therefore, sought to add R45-m to deal with security of our land,” the mayor said.
When this request was made, the metro had already incurred R22-m for expenses in land invasions and R26-m was made available in the budget to accommodate the expenditure.
The cost incurred can, therefore, not be regarded as unauthorised expenditure.
The additional amount of R20-m was granted on the basis that more land invasion cases could be identified in the current financial year and will assist the metro until the Land Invasion Unit is established and operational.
The budget adjustment process is transparent and inclusive of all relevant parties.
The process remains a vital opportunity to review priorities in line with realities on the ground.
Other articles you may be interested in:
Insults, allegations and chaos mar Ekurhuleni council meeting
DA says public transport system continues to limp on
