Thabiso Goba30 October 2024 | 10:41

Moya: It will take 36 years to meet Tshwane's decade-long infrastructure demands at current funding rate

The municipality's capital budget currently stands at R2.3 billion, which is much lower than what it needs to address its infrastructure challenges.

Moya: It will take 36 years to meet Tshwane's decade-long infrastructure demands at current funding rate

Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya. Picture: Thabiso Goba/EWN

JOHANNESBURG - The Tshwane Municipality has estimated it will take 36 years to meet its decade-long infrastructure demands if it continues with its current funding rate.

The municipality's capital budget currently stands at R2.3 billion, which is much lower than what it needs to address its infrastructure challenges.

Over the years, the city has not been able to fund its capital project due to dwindling revenue collection and a bad credit rating, which prevents it from borrowing.

At a media briefing on Wednesday, recently elected mayor, Dr Nasiphi Moya, said that increasing the city's revenue was one of her main priorities.

"Capital investment demands over the next decade exceed R65 billion, while the city’s current annual capital budget is only R2.3 billion. In other words, at the current rate of investment it will take the city 36 years to meeting the 10-year demand. Chronic underinvestment in repairs and maintenance has left the city’s aging infrastructure vulnerable to frequent breakdowns, with residents enduring weekly power and water outages."