eThekwini Mayor Addresses Unspent Funds and Advances in City's Security Efforts

In the face of escalating crime rates and public service challenges, eThekwini Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda provided a comprehensive update on the municipality's strategic approach to improve safety and manage its financials effectively. This comes after mounting concerns over violent crime spikes, particularly in the northern townships of KwaMashu and Inanda, where mass shootouts have underscored the urgency for better policing methods.

Kaunda emphasized the rollout of smart policing technology, including the repair and upgrade of body cameras and CCTV systems, planned to bolster security. City manager Musa Mbhele announced that key components of the smart policing tender are expected to be fully operational by the end of June next year. He also highlighted ongoing collaborations with police and a recruitment drive to bolster metro police ranks.

Furthermore, Kaunda remarked that inner-city surveillance infrastructure is currently undergoing repairs, with a completion timeline targeted for the end of November. This includes the refurbishing of cameras in particularly trouble-prone areas such as Glebelands, which have frequently faced operational challenges.

As the municipality prepares for the peak festive season, most of the beaches have been declared open, signaling a win for community recreation and tourism. This progress is attributed to the successful operation of key pump stations that were previously the culprits of beachfront pollution.

However, eThekwini's financial landscape is not without its challenges. The Public Employment Programme (PEP), which supports nearly 5,000 beneficiaries, faced suspension due to government-wide budget constraints. Despite this setback, Kaunda has assured that internal funding solutions are being pursued to extend the program until December.

Kaunda also addressed the legal victory over the ratepayers' association, setting a precedent for municipalities to enforce payments for services. This court ruling reinforces the city's stance against unlawful payment withholdings and disconnections, emphasizing the consequence of reconnection fees, penalties, and the removal of meters in cases of illegal connections.

In a strategic maneuver to justify the management of municipal grants, Kaunda explained the request for a rollover to the National Treasury for the R1.5 billion grant received in March 2023. According to the Mayor, the timeframe was insufficient to expedite supply chain processes for over 700 projects. He stressed that the city did not forfeit any grants, and the framework allows for 12 months to allocate the funds appropriately.

The municipality is navigating complex times by formulating strategies to tackle crime, upgrade critical infrastructure, and optimize financial resources. Mayor Kaunda's administration is committed to transparency and efficiency, assuring the public of its unwavering effort to uphold service standards and community safety.