The state of the capital: Three major problems Tshwane promises to fix

Tshwane mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya has acknowledged the long list of service delivery issues that are plaguing the city, but says they are moving forward to resolving these.

Moya delivered her first state of the capital address on Thursday, reflecting on the challenges, successes and plans of her administration since taking over the city last October.

Among the plans to improve service delivery are the repurposing of the HB Phillips b, the Melgisedek building, Pretoria Show Grounds and House 22 Precinct.

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Houses in the dark

Moya said the city’s MMC for utility services, Frans Boshielo, was focused on refurbishing and maintaining electricity substations.

“The stability of Kwagga substation is critical. It supplies power to more than 58% of Tshwane, yet its infrastructure is over 50 years old. We are moving ahead with plans to upgrade the substation, including the replacement of a damaged transformer and other ageing equipment.

“Njala infeed station has also reached its capacity. We are working with Eskom to build the new Wildebees infeed station, which will significantly improve supply reliability,” she said.

Moya said the city was near completion of the Mooikloof and Wapadrand substations, which will also contribute to energy security in Pretoria East.

“In Soshanguve, the upgrades to the JJ powerline will provide energy security to support the area’s growing population.

“In the interim, I am also pleased to announce that upgrades to the IA substation have been completed. This will reduce power outages, bringing real relief to residents who have long faced unstable power supply.

“The Rosslyn substation upgrades carried out in December 2024 have also brought much relief to the automotive sector,” she added.

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Moya said the city was making “steady progress” on the Monavoni substation, where construction was at an advanced stage and expected to be completed by the end of June.

The completion of the Pyramid substation, which is essential for supporting operations at the Rooiwal waste water treatment plant and meeting the energy needs of surrounding farm areas, is only scheduled for the next financial year.

DA caucus leader Cilliers Brink said that because of budget choices by the mayor and her coalition, residents and businesses have more and longer service outages from Soshanguve to Centurion.

Brink said that while Moya spoke about the Kwagga infeed station, she didn’t mention that her government took away R5 million for the upgrade of Kwagga in the February budget adjustment.

Tap running dry

As Gauteng battles a water crisis, Moya conceded that the city was losing one-third of the water it purchased.

“We have implemented Level 1 restrictions. You will recall that many areas in Regions 1 and 3 faced serious water supply disruptions late last year. I am pleased that there has been a consistent supply of water to communities in Atteridgeville, Laudium, Mabopane and Soshanguve.

“The addition of areas in Hammanskraal – Ramotse, Kekana Gardens, Marokolong, Mandela Village and Babelegi Industrial – to the communities that receive clean water remains a great achievement to be celebrated,” she said.

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Moya added the module of the Magalies Water project was expected to be completed at the end of April.

The upgrades to the Rooiwal waste water treatment plant were still ongoing with the full completion of Phase 1 upgrades by June 2026.

“Although we have taken important steps to deliver water to the people of Hammanskraal, we still carry the responsibility of completing the upgrades to the Rooiwal waste water treatment plant.

“We are pleased to report that Phase 1A of the Rooiwal project was completed three months ahead of schedule and Phase 1B began six months earlier than planned. We anticipate the full completion of Phase 1 upgrades by June 2026,” she said.

Brink challenged the city’s ability to deal with the crisis, alleging money had been taken from water and electricity teams to benefit dodgy water tanker contractors and security companies.

“The mayor conceded the fragility of the city’s electricity and water reticulation networks and the effect of prolonged, unattended power outages. But this does not square with her political and budget choices,” he said.

Stranded at the side of the road

In a city as big as Tshwane, transport can often be a headache for residents. The mayor said this may be eased with an announced collaboration between bus and taxi operators in the city.

“A key milestone is the approval of our first 12-year bus operating company agreement, signed with affected taxi operators in Tshwane.

“This agreement marks a major step towards modernising public transport and expanding services to the communities of Mamelodi and Atteridgeville,” she said.

Moya said that to support this expansion, the city would prioritise the construction and upgrading of key infrastructure along affected routes such as Lynnwood Road, Atterbury Road, January Masilela Drive and Simon Vermooten Road.

“This project also includes the addition of pedestrian sidewalks, cycle paths and landscaping to improve accessibility, safety and the area’s visual appeal.”

Moya also highlighted the planned upgrade of Garsfontein Road, which will be expanded to a four-lane carriageway between January Masilela Drive and Loristo Street.

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