ActionSA welcomes the successful passing of budgets in the Multi-Party Coalition Governments in the Gauteng Metro Municipalities, and we applaud all parties that voted in favour of fixing our municipalities and effectively delivering services to the people of Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni.
These budgets are the joint work of all coalition partners and give impetus to each partner’s priorities. Particularly important to ActionSA are our priorities such as Buya Mthetho, aiding unemployment (EPWP), support for informal traders and SMMEs, Inner City Rejuvenation, Insourcing, and indigent packages. We have secured funding for all these issues, the political responsibility which rests in our portfolios as well as those held by coalition partners, across all 3 metro municipalities.
In the City of Ekurhuleni, our Community Safety portfolio has been allocated funds for the finalisation and upgrading of fire stations In Katlehong, Isando and Etwatwa; the establishment of a K9 unit; 480 new EMPD recruits for by-law enforcement and intensify #OperationBuyaMthetho. Special rates have also been assigned for emergency services such as ambulances and firefighting.
Additionally, funds have been ringfenced for restructuring and insourcing of cleaners and security guards; an Indigent Package; grass cutting and fixing potholes; repairs and maintenance to the electrical network repairs – including substations, transformers, meter boxes and streetlights.
In the City of Tshwane, our portfolios have the following highlights:
- Economic Development and Spatial Planning has secured funds for a public employment programme; the stimulation of economic growth and support of SMMEs and funds have also been allocated for the construction of the Marabastad Informal Traders’ stalls.
- Community and Social Development is allocated funds for ECD and NGO Support; recreational facilities; a Food Bank; EPWP and the completion of the Caledonian and Refilwe stadiums.
- Housing and Human Settlement funds are allocated for township establishments; relocation of 11580 beneficiaries to permanent stands; the provision of affordable housing and other related services.
In the City of Joburg our portfolios have the following highlights:
- Transport is allocated funds for the refurbishment of Joburg Roads Agency depots; filling of 43 critical JRA vacancies; Tarring of gravel roads in Tshepisong region C; construction, tarring and upgrade of roads in Zandspruit Region C; Klipfontein View Gravel Roads Upgrade project; Plant and Equipment to service JRA depots that perform resurfacing of roads across the city; New Roads Construction and Upgrades in KAALFONTEIN EXT.2; tarring of gravel roads in wards 77, 133 and 80; Additional budget for storm-water projects.
- Public Safety Department is allocated funds for the construction of a pound to aid with revenue collection; Electronic law enforcement project through e-citation; Procurement and maintenance of fire engines; Deployment of traffic wardens in a phased-in approach over 4 years for zonal policing & and Buya Mtheto; Professionalising of security services through the provision of tools of trade and other capacity-building programmes
- Economic development Department is allocated funds for Inner City Economic Development Initiative; Informal Trade Permit System, Data Intelligence Dashboard; Youth Skills Development; Operationalize the EPWP jobs database; establishment of additional Opportunity Centres; revamping of informal trade stalls within the inner-city.
- We have also secured funds for a skills audit, the commencement of the City’s institutional review and a recreational facility in Ward 53.
We are proud of the work of our caucuses in securing funding for our priorities. A special word of congratulations goes to our Caucus Leaders in the three metros, Funzi Ngobeni in Joburg, Tlhogi Moseki in eKurhuleni and Derrick Kissoonduth in Tshwane. They have provided sterling leadership in ensuring our priorities find expression in these budgets.
