ETHEKWINI MUNICIPALITY’S EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING DECISIONS 
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Date: 2025-05-13 16:34:28

ETHEKWINI MUNICIPALITY’S EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING DECISIONS 

ETHEKWINI NEWSFLASH
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
 
13 MAY 2025 
 
ETHEKWINI MUNICIPALITY’S EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING DECISIONS   
          
The City’s Executive Committee (EXCO) convened today, 13 May 2025, resulting in notable decisions.  Approved reports will proceed to Full Council for final endorsement.
 
CITY ADVANCES WATER AND SANITATION REFORM TO UNLOCK R3.3 BILLION GRANT
 
EThekwini Municipality has made significant strides in transforming its water and sanitation services under the national Trading Services Reform Programme.  This is a six-year R54 billion incentive initiative launched by National Treasury.
 
In a presentation to the Executive Committee (EXCO), Deputy Head of Water and Sanitation, Simon Scruton, outlined the City's progress in meeting the programme's rigorous requirements, including Council approval of key institutional reforms and strategic plans. 
 
"With three of the four foundational steps completed (including the Turnaround Strategy and Business and Investment Plan), the Municipality is now focusing on the adoption of eight minimum commitments to qualify for the first tranche of funding by June 2025," said Scruton. 
 
The eThekwini Water and Sanitation Turnaround Strategy, approved in April 2023, targets 13 critical areas, ranging from financial sustainability to infrastructure development and customer service. 
 
"The notable achievements include a 30 percent reduction in repair backlogs, increased operational resources and major partnerships with the Department of Water and Sanitation, the World Bank and uMngeni-uThukela Water,” he added. 
 
The City also secured a R189 million grant and an interest-free loan for non-revenue water reduction in the Phoenix, Inanda, Ntuzuma and KwaMashu (PINK) areas.  Tenders for public-private partnerships to upgrade wastewater treatment facilities have also been issued.
 
EThekwini Mayor, Councillor Cyril Xaba, applauded the team for the progress made, but cautioned of possible hindrances. 
 
"Key among them is the urgent need for exemption from Municipal staff regulations to restructure executive oversight without which the Municipality may forfeit the potential R3.3 billion allocation. Also, tariff increases and underperformance on the Turnaround Strategy could jeopardise future grant disbursements,” cautioned Mayor Xaba. 
 
Final approval of the minimum commitments by EXCO and Council is expected at the end of May, with formal documentation due to National Treasury by June. 
 
If successful, eThekwini Municipality stands to receive its performance-based grant in September 2025, helping to propel trading services into a more sustainable and efficient future.
 
ENDS 
 
Issued by eThekwini Municipality’s Communications Unit