A R50.6 billion budget was presented by the cash-strapped City of Tshwane on Tuesday morning in an attempt to enhance service delivery.
For the 2024–2025 fiscal year, the budget is divided between an operational budget of R48.3 billion and a capital infrastructure investment budget of R2.3 billion.
When she presented the budget, Finance MMC Jacqui Uys stated that the city had set aside almost R536 million to guarantee that citizens would have access to clean, drinkable water.
“Main initiatives include honoring our commitment to the people of Hammanskraal. R150 million is going toward the Phase 1 renovation of the Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Works.
“We have set aside R84 million to upgrade Sutherland Ridge’s wastewater treatment facilities. We’re spending R66 million to replace the city’s deteriorating water network pipes,” Uys stated.
We have committed R3.4 billion for the Tshwane Metro Police Department’s expansion in order to enable our law enforcement officers to carry out their vital duties, which include crime prevention and road policing.
“R1 billion will go to the emergency services department to enhance the department’s ability to effectively respond to emergencies and to continue providing life-saving services.”
According to Uys, R177 million has been set aside for materials needed for electrical network maintenance, of which R20 million is ringfenced to divert feeder cables to the Doornpoort and Rua Vista supply areas in order to stop ongoing blackouts.
Additionally, about R20 million has been set aside to reduce the frequency of battery surges at substations.
According to Uys, “the city loses tens of millions of dollars in revenue annually due to electricity theft.”
This is depriving other citizens of improved service delivery while siphoning off desperately needed public income. We will keep collaborating with communities and law enforcement to apprehend perpetrators and apply severe sanctions in order to combat this, Uys cautioned.
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