eThekwini promises R569m for northern areas hit by water failures

Staff Reporter

eThekwini is trying to sell a R569 million northern-region service delivery package to communities that have been among the city’s most exposed to water interruptions, infrastructure failures and tanker complaints.

The municipality consulted residents from 20 northern-region wards at JL Dube Stadium in Inanda on its 2026/27 draft Integrated Development Plan and budget this weekend, including proposed projects for housing, wastewater treatment, roads, traffic calming and community facilities.

The regional package forms part of eThekwini’s proposed R74.7 billion 2026/27 budget, which the city has marketed as a service-delivery and infrastructure budget after years of poor performance in delivering water, sanitation, roads and municipal services. The draft budget includes about R68.8 billion in operating expenditure and about R5.86 billion in capital spending.

Among the northern projects listed by the city are the eTafuleni Housing Project, wastewater treatment works, the rehabilitation of uMzinyathi Library, the gravel-to-surface upgrade of Landa Road,