eThekwini’s Xaba outlines R70bn budget spend
eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba has described his inaugural budget address as a bold and responsible strategy to change the city’s current situation.
While tabling the 2025/26 budget on Monday, the mayor outlined the municipality's plans to spend over R70 billion in the coming financial year.
Xaba vowed that there would be significant changes over the next three years.
"We will roll out: Over 5 000 new houses will be built over the MTREF, 6 000 new water connections, 13 500 new electricity connections, 7 386 new sewer connections, 53 km of wastewater pipes, upgrading of 14km of gravel road to blacktop, build 13 new sports fields, build two new libraries and refurbishing 13, repair and upgrade 11 community halls, and, build three new fire stations, we will bury potholes, sweep the street, cut the verges and keeps the lights on."
Some R11 billion has been allocated to improving the reliability and efficiency of the water supply.
Xaba said a turnaround strategy is already in place to address long-standing water issues.
"Whilst the municipality will continue to maintain the network that spans 14,533 kilometres and services over 980,000 households, the focus and key deliverables of the water budget in the next financial year are on infrastructure expansion to increase pipelines, reservoirs, and boreholes to improve water access and reduce losses. In this regard, 2,000 new water connections will be implemented, and 79 kilometres of new water pipes will be laid.
"Non-revenue water will be reduced to 53% in the next financial year, and 92.7% of all water connections will be metered."
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