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Tshwane mayor tables metro’s R39-billion budget

Residents can expect some increases in the following months as property rates increase by 2% while refuse removal charges would increase by 4.1% among others.

May 20, 2021
Reitumetse Mahope 3 minutes read
Tshwane Mayor Randall Williams. Photo: COT/TWITTER

Tshwane Mayor Randall Williams on Thursday presented his 2021/22 budget speech at Tshwane house in the Pretoria CBD where he tabled how Tshwane will operate with R39-billion.

The budget excludes capital grants and contributions and is said to escalate to R43.5-billion in 2023/24.

Williams said the 2021/22 budget was prepared in the midst of a difficult economic climate and was geared towards stabilising the metro’s finances and driving quality service delivery.

He said the budget would focus on prioritising the electrical grid and water infrastructure in the metro, implement a robust Covid-19 management strategy, create a reliable waste and refuse removal service, providing stringent financial management and oversight as well as enhance the city’s safety and emergency services.

Further promoting employment and economic growth, while supporting the vulnerable and providing social relief in the metro.

In his speech, he said property rates would increase only by 2% while refuse removal charges would increase by 4.1%.

Tshwane electricity consumers are yet to also fork out 14.59% in tariff increases as of July.

“Similarly, the city is bound by the tariff increase for bulk purchases of water from Rand Water compelling the city to increase the water tariff by 8% while sanitation charges will increase by 10%.

“It is important to note that water and electricity tariffs are mainly influenced by the Rand Water and Eskom tariffs,” said Williams.

He implored residents to manage and track their consumption of electricity, water and by implication, sanitation, as it could be self-managed.

 

Williams said R1.176-billion for the Utility Services Department (USD) dealing with electricity, water and sanitation had been set aside.

Some investment areas for both new infrastructure, maintenance and refurbishment are budgeted R95-million for the replacement of worn-out water pipes, R93-million for electricity matters, R95-million to tackle streetlights and R45-million for smart prepaid meters.

Williams said the Regional Operations Centre (ROC) responsible for various activities across the city would be allocated R900-million.

The ROC will be ensuring that the metro maintains electrical grid infrastructure repairs and maintenance, which were budgeted at R245-million.

“Our streetlights maintenance allocated is R90-million, water leaks have been allocated R72-million, sewer maintenance has been allocated R67-million to address blockages and road maintenance was allocated R137-million.”

He said in regards to road maintenance, R62-million was to address potholes and road repairs while resurfacing had been allocated R25-million.

Williams said R59.4-million was directed towards repairs and maintenance work on ageing buildings and other properties across the metro.

 

He said Tshwane’s health department had a budget of R541-million intended to cover the running costs of clinics, providing municipal health services, health promotion campaigns and the drug and substance abuse programme.

“A large part of the R62-million departmental capital budget is allocated to the construction of Lusaka clinic in Mamelodi West.

“Communities have for some time requested additional clinic facilities in this area due to the area’s population growth. We are also upgrading our management systems.”

He said the old manual filing system, to keep records of patients, had become increasingly ineffective.

Williams said a satellite Tshwane Metro Police Department station, based in the inner city and supported by 100 TMPD officers would be achieved through the budget allocation of R2.7-billion, to help keep residents safe through by-law enforcement, traffic policing and crime prevention.

The emergency services department’s operating budget is at R898-million, while its 2021/22 capital budget stands at R13-million.

“One of our highlights is the new Mamelodi emergency services station, which will be fully operational by July 2021.”

R76-million was allocated to cut grass at city parks, sidewalks, pavements and open public spaces “so that our city looks beautiful”.

“We are also investing heavily into developing the infrastructure in specific areas of our city which are rapidly growing, such as R25-million for the Soshanguve substation upgrade, R78-million for the Ekangala sewer reticulation and toilets, R60-million for Kudube sewer reticulation. The Mamelodi water and sanitation services get R48-million.”

Williams said his administration would cut costs in the metro by limiting vacancies, processing no overtime unless for essential services, place measures to manage the cost of bulk purchases, reviewing all contracts for value for money, renegotiating leases and rental buildings, reviewing fleet contracts for better rates and value.

Market analyses will be held before a tender is issued or quotes requested.

He said the appointment of consultants would also be strictly monitored and focused towards revenue enhancement initiatives and the implementation of capital projects.

The mayor’s 2021/22 financial year budget is yet to face a debate by council on Thursday 27 May.

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May 20, 2021
Reitumetse Mahope 3 minutes read
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