The City of Ekurhuleni has received government approval to procure 2,400MW of privately generated electricity in a programme it estimates could save R36 billion in bulk electricity costs over 20 years.

Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa announced the approval in Pretoria on Monday, clearing a major regulatory hurdle for a programme expected to attract R16.2 billion in private investment and reduce the city’s reliance on Eskom.

The approval, granted under Section 34 of the Electricity Regulation Act, allows the municipality to pursue electricity procurement from independent power producers (IPPs), using solar, natural gas, waste-to-energy and other generation technologies.

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Ekurhuleni currently consumes approximately 2,500MW of electricity, making the planned capacity significant in its efforts to secure alternative sources of supply.

“What this does potentially is to free Ekurhuleni from total dependence on Eskom,” Ramokgopa said.

However, the municipality will remain connected to the national grid, and the amount of electricity supplied by the programme will depend on the completion and performance of individual projects.

The programme provides for 1,237MW of solar photovoltaic generation, including 1,137MW of embedded generation within Ekurhuleni and 100MW procured from external generators through wheeling arrangements.

Natural gas projects will account for another 780MW, comprising 535MW from external generators and 245MW of embedded generation.

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A further 183MW has been allocated to waste-to-energy projects, while 200MW will be reserved for innovative generation technologies.

Ramokgopa said waste-to-energy projects could help address pressure on landfill sites in Gauteng while creating opportunities for waste pickers to participate in the formal waste economy.

“If you are to think about this carefully, with the maturity of technology, waste is the new gold,” he said.

The programme will rely on private investment, with IPPs expected to develop and operate the projects rather than the municipality financing the entire programme from its own balance sheet.

Ramokgopa said the initiative would also create opportunities for local manufacturing, employment and broader participation in the energy sector.

“The measure of the success of this programme is not just the megawatts on the grid. Fundamentally, it’s about transformation. It’s about industrialisation. It’s about ownership and community participation,” he said.

Ekurhuleni Executive Mayor Nkosindiphile Doctor Xhakaza said the municipality currently spent more than R22 billion annually on bulk electricity purchases.

The city estimates that the programme could save about R36 billion over 20 years, although actual savings will depend on procurement prices, project performance and other costs.

“While we celebrate the clean interventions, the clean energy, we also celebrate the affordable electricity,” Xhakaza said.

Any reduction in household electricity bills would depend on how the projected savings are reflected in future municipal tariffs and the applicable regulatory approval process.

The municipality expects an initial 357MW of solar photovoltaic capacity to reach commercial operation during the 2027/28 financial year, with the remaining 2,043MW targeted for completion by 2029/30.

Those timelines remain dependent on the successful procurement, development and commissioning of the projects.

Xhakaza said the city intended to move to the next stage of implementation on Thursday, 22 October.

“We now look forward to translating this process into construction, electricity generation, employment, and tangible benefits to our communities,” he said.

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Minister of Electricity and Energy Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has announced the outcome of the City of Ekurhuleni’s application for a Ministerial Determination under Section 34 of the Electricity Regulation Act, to pave the way for the metro to procure electricity generation capacity from Independent Power Producers (IPPs).

The announcement marks a crucial step in South Africa’s electricity reform programme and expands the role of municipalities in securing their own power supply.

The approval will enable Ekurhuleni to source new generation capacity from independent producers, helping to strengthen energy security, diversify electricity supply and support the transition to more affordable and cleaner energy sources.

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The department said the determination is also expected to attract private sector investment into the energy sector, stimulate local economic development and create opportunities for infrastructure growth within the metro.

Speaking alongside Ekurhuleni Executive Mayor Nkosindiphile “Doctor” Xhakaza, Ramokgopa said the move represents an important milestone in municipal energy procurement and efforts to improve the reliability of electricity supply.

Senior officials from the Department of Electricity and Energy and the City of Ekurhuleni also attended the announcement.

The development comes as municipalities across South Africa seek greater participation in electricity generation and procurement to reduce pressure on the national grid and improve service delivery to residents and businesses.

This is a developing story.

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The City of Ekurhuleni has dismissed three senior Heads of Department following damning findings of fraud, corruption, and mismanagement.

Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza confirmed the dismissal of Kemi Behari, the former Head of Legal Services, Linda Gxasheka, Head of Human Resources, and Moloko Monyepao.

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Xhakaza reiterated the metro’s commitment to consequence management and accountability.

The officials were implicated in proceedings before the Madlanga Commission, where they were accused of shielding and failing to discipline suspended EMPD deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi.

Mkhwanazi allegedly facilitated the unlawful use of police blue lights by businessman Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala through an alleged fraudulent memorandum of agreement.

Xhakaza said the dismissals also stemmed from findings of ICT mismanagement, salary irregularities, and governance failures, adding that the city was determined to restore public trust.

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Johannesburg mayor Dada Morero says the City is looking to convert reclaimed illegal dumping sites into community-based waste management and enterprise hubs, arguing that the initiative could stimulate economic growth, create jobs and contribute to gross domestic product (GDP).

Speaking at the launch of the Waste to Work Programme in Braamfontein on Thursday, Morero said the City of Johannesburg, in partnership with the National Empowerment Fund (NEF), intends to use municipal land to support young entrepreneurs in the waste management sector.

The programme celebrated its first group of graduates, who will receive support to establish waste management businesses.

Morero said the City had established a dedicated team to identify suitable municipal land that could be leased to entrepreneurs for between five and 10 years, allowing them to secure funding from financial institutions.

“I’ve made that decision, and the team is now operational. Every Wednesday they meet

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The ANC has criticised the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the Democratic Alliance (DA) after Ekurhuleni’s proposed R71 billion budget for the 2026/27 financial year was rejected by the city council.

During an extraordinary council meeting at the OR Tambo Government Precinct in Germiston on Thursday, the budget failed to secure the required support, with 96 councillors voting in favour and 105 against.

The rejection means Finance MMC and ANC regional secretary Jongizizwe Dlabathi must return with a revised budget for consideration at a future council sitting.

Following the vote, the ANC accused the EFF of aligning with the DA and FF Plus to block what it described as a pro-poor budget aimed at accelerating service delivery and improving residents’ lives.

Dlabathi said the budget complied with all legislative requirements and was developed through extensive public consultation involving residents, stakeholders and organised labour.

“The people of Ekurhuleni

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The mayor of Ekurhuleni Nkosindiphile Xhakaza has announced the approval of nearly 600 jobs as part of the city’s insourcing plan, marking what he described as a “new era” for service delivery.

Speaking at the State of the City Address (SOCA) in Germiston on Wednesday, Xhakaza confirmed the creation of 199 cleaning and supervisory posts, along with 394 security personnel positions, aimed at strengthening the municipality’s internal capacity.

He said the move would reduce reliance on private contractors while improving service delivery and creating employment opportunities.

“We want to report that, just in the area of security, the item being tabled will result in savings. About 394 security guard positions will be filled within the city as a start, so that we cut down on contracted private security services,” said Xhakaza.

“We will reduce outsourcing, employ more people, and build the necessary internal capacity. This is not

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Executive mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza has placed service delivery at the centre of the City of Ekurhuleni’s agenda, declaring an “unapologetic commitment” to restoring reliable basic services and accelerating infrastructure investment across the metro.

Delivering the 2026 State of the City Address (SOCA) in Germiston on Wednesday, Xhakaza framed the municipality’s programme as part of a broader national push to stabilise local government, aligning the city with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s infrastructure drive and the designation of 2026 as the “Year of Decisive Action”.

“This State of the City Address therefore will demonstrate our clear, unapologetic commitment to continue with the relentless acceleration of service delivery, restoring the trust in our city, and reclaiming the developmental mandate we received from our people,” he said.

He emphasised that residents would judge the administration on tangible outcomes rather than plans.

“The people of Ekurhuleni do not measure governance by plans and

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Xolani Khumalo has been appointed as the new Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Community Services and By-Law Enforcement in the City of Ekurhuleni.

His appointment was confirmed on Wednesday.

Khumalo will now be tasked with overseeing community services and enforcing municipal by-laws.

A newcomer to formal politics, he joined ActionSA in late 2025 and was sworn in as a councillor in November of that year.

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Khumalo remains ActionSA’s designated mayoral candidate for the upcoming 2026 local government elections.

His appointment comes amid controversy. Khumalo faces ongoing legal challenges, including assault charges linked to a 2025 incident in Katlehong during an anti-drug operation.

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Although some commissioners questioned whether Nciza was over-interpreting the issue, he maintained that the surrounding circumstances, including the alleged fake memorandum

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