By Lebone Rodah Mosima
The eThekwini Municipality has approved a R74.7 billion draft budget for the 2026/27 financial year following public consultation.
eThekwini mayor Cyril Xaba tabled the draft budget before council on Tuesday.
The budget comprises R68.8 billion in operational expenditure and R5.9 billion for capital projects, underpinned by financial sustainability, realistic revenue projections, and improved service delivery and infrastructure.
The municipality said it is advancing reforms in trading services, including water, sanitation and electricity, supported by a R1.1 billion allocation to enhance efficiency, revenue collection and infrastructure reliability.
Infrastructure investment remains a priority, with funding directed towards wastewater upgrades, water loss reduction, electricity networks, housing, transport and road rehabilitation.
Plans are also in place to relocate flood-affected communities to permanent housing in Cornubia.
On supply chain management, the municipality reported that more than 80% of service providers met expected performance standards, with a smaller proportion rated outstanding. Underperforming contracts were described as minimal.
The report will inform targeted interventions where improvement is required.
The municipality flagged rising consumer debt and said relief measures have been introduced to assist struggling households, while encouraging continued payment for services.
Non-revenue water declined from 58% to 53% over three months, reflecting ongoing efforts to curb water losses and improve efficiency.
The municipality said it continues to refer cases of unauthorised, irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure to the Municipal Public Accounts Committee to strengthen accountability.
Council also approved targeted upgrades to improve water supply reliability in La Mercy, Desainagar and Genazzano in Ward 58.
The project includes replacing an ageing 150mm asbestos cement pipeline prone to bursts, as well as realigning it within a new 12-metre servitude to improve access and maintenance.
About R200,000 has been approved for the acquisition and registration of the required servitudes.
Through initiatives such as the Just Infrastructure Lab, the municipality said it will work with communities to co-develop sustainable solutions, with uMlazi V-Section in Ward 76 identified as a priority site.
The programme includes skills development for students and engineering professionals, as well as strengthening internal technical capacity. Progress will be monitored through quarterly reports and site inspections.
Council also approved a two-year memorandum of agreement with the Water Research Commission to support sludge-to-technology solutions.
The initiative will focus on converting wastewater by-products into usable resources, improving environmental compliance, and advancing sustainable waste management.
Over the next 24 months, priorities include commissioning and certifying treatment facilities, transferring skills to municipal staff, and sharing research to strengthen sector knowledge.
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