By Thapelo Molefe
President Cyril Ramaphosa and Cabinet members are expected to visit the Gauteng Provincial Executive Council (PEC) on Thursday in a bid to assess the deteriorating state of local government in South Africa’s economic hub.
Following his meeting with the PEC, Ramaphosa will engage with the Johannesburg Metro Council and later hold discussions with key stakeholders focused on the city’s growth and development.
Gauteng officials scrambled on Wednesday to prepare for the oversight visit, with various departments and MECs holding urgent meetings to coordinate their response.
The ANC’s Gauteng Provincial Task Team (PTT) also met with Ramaphosa on Wednesday afternoon to discuss organisational renewal, unity and the path forward for the ANC in the province.
The visit comes amid growing concerns over governance failures, including the province’s struggle to provide basic services such as water, road maintenance, and functional traffic lights.
This morning [Thursday], Premier Panyaza Lesufi and his MECs are expected to brief Ramaphosa on their plans to improve service delivery.
Officials told Inside Metros that the visit is crucial, as it will allow the Cabinet to assist the province and municipalities in addressing the 13 key challenges outlined in Lesufi’s State of the Province Address (SOPA).
“It will also help the President understand where Gauteng and its municipalities stand in terms of service delivery issues,” said Premier’s spokesperson, Vuyo Mhaga.
For years, Johannesburg has faced sharp criticism over poor delivery service, with residents frequently raising concerns about unreliable water supply, crumbling infrastructure, and ineffective waste management.
Despite repeated promises of intervention, little progress has been made, and the city remains one of the worst-ranked in South Africa for service delivery.
Ahead of Ramaphosa’s visit, Johannesburg officials launched a crackdown on illegal buildings, arresting dozens of undocumented immigrants.
At the same time, potholes were hastily patched, and new traffic lights were installed, moves that critics and some residents believe were prompted by the President’s visit and the upcoming G20 Summit.
Joburg Public Safety MMC Dr. Mgcini Tshwaku also spearheaded OperationNomakanjani on Wednesday, targeting undocumented foreigners and crime in the Johannesburg inner city.
Over 200 undocumented immigrants were arrested, while authorities also focused on drug trafficking and other illegal activities.
“An alleged drug dealer has been caught in Hillbrow as part of ongoing efforts to combat crime in the inner city. Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD), South African Police Services (SAPS), and Tactical Response Units (TRU), in collaboration with my office, are taking a strong stance against drug-related activities, ensuring lawbreakers face justice,” Tshwaku said.
Authorities also uncovered makeshift drug, tobacco, and alcohol production operations in a CBD building.
Lesufi confirmed efforts to install traffic lights in Johannesburg, stating on X account: “We said it. We are doing it. Installing proper traffic lights. #TacklingG13.”
Tshwaku responded to Lesufi’s post and highlighted new traffic lights on Winnie Mandela Road and another near the N1, which will allow JMPD officers to focus on other duties instead of directing traffic manually.
“There is one on Winnie Mandela Road and a N1 Premier. The effort is welcomed this will release JMPD to do other work, since we have deployed them to do points duty,” replied Tshwaku.
The Johannesburg Crisis Alliance (JCA) also announced on Wednesday that it will present a list of service delivery complaints from residents to Ramaphosa during his visit.
The alliance aims to ensure that the President hears firsthand accounts of the challenges faced by Johannesburg residents.
Ramaphosa’s visit is part of the District Development Model (DDM), which promotes integrated planning and collaboration among different spheres of government.
It marks the fourth engagement led by Ramaphosa, following similar visits to Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, and Limpopo.
These sessions provide a platform for national and provincial leaders to discuss service delivery challenges, opportunities, and economic growth strategies.
Ramaphosa’s meetings with the Gauteng PEC and the Johannesburg Metro Council will take place at the Johannesburg Council Chambers.
INSIDE METROS