Ekurhuleni allocates R200 million for water reservoirs amid political tensions

The City of Ekurhuleni has committed nearly R200 million towards the completion of eight water reservoirs as part of an ambitious plan to address water shortages in the metro.

Mayor Doctor Xhakaza made the announcement during his State of the City Address on Thursday, highlighting the city’s massive investment in water and sanitation infrastructure.

Reservoirs to Alleviate Water Shortages

The eight reservoirs currently under construction are nearing completion and will provide critical water supply to Tembisa, Germiston, and other elevated areas in the municipality.

“In our efforts to create a water safety and security net, the city has invested about R2 billion in water and sanitation infrastructure, including the construction of 21 reservoirs and four towers,” Xhakaza stated.

He further emphasized that R196 million has been allocated in the current financial year to finalize these eight reservoirs, which are currently between 70% and 90% complete.

This initiative comes as Ekurhuleni continues to battle water supply challenges, with some areas experiencing frequent outages and low-pressure issues due to aging infrastructure and increased demand.

Pothole Crisis Sparks Political Feud

While the mayor’s address focused on infrastructure developments, the council sitting was overshadowed by political infighting between the African National Congress (ANC) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF)—the two coalition partners governing the city.

The tension erupted when EFF councillors staged a silent protest during Xhakaza’s speech, holding up placards to express their frustration over the city’s failure to address potholes.

The protest quickly angered ANC councillors, leading to a heated altercation between members of the two coalition partners. Verbal exchanges and finger-pointing dominated the session, disrupting proceedings.

Potholes: A Growing Concern for Ekurhuleni

The pothole issue has become a major point of contention in Ekurhuleni, affecting residents, businesses, and road safety.

Xhakaza acknowledged the crisis, stating that while he did not approve of the EFF’s protest tactics, he agreed that potholes were a major problem for the city.

“The issue of potholes is steadily becoming an albatross for the city. This is not only impacting road users but also hurting the economy, as roads are the backbone of the movement of goods and services,” he admitted.

Many roads in Ekurhuleni have deteriorated significantly, leading to increased vehicle damage, longer travel times, and rising complaints from motorists.

Coalition Partners at Odds Over Service Delivery

The latest dispute highlights the growing divisions within the ANC-EFF coalition in Ekurhuleni, particularly around service delivery failures.

The ANC has accused the EFF of using public protests to embarrass the mayor rather than addressing the issues internally.

Meanwhile, the EFF insists that the ANC-led administration has failed to prioritize road maintenance, leaving thousands of potholes unattended.

The political rift raises concerns about whether the coalition can function effectively ahead of the next elections. With public dissatisfaction mounting, both parties risk losing voter confidence if they fail to resolve service delivery challenges.

What’s Next for Ekurhuleni?

While the city moves forward with its water infrastructure plans, the ongoing pothole crisis and political infighting threaten to overshadow these developments.

Key questions remain:

• Will the coalition partners find common ground on service delivery?

• How will the city address the pothole backlog?

• Can Ekurhuleni balance infrastructure development while maintaining existing roads?

For now, residents will be watching closely, expecting not just words but action from their leaders.