By Mapaballo Borotho
- Premier Panyaza Lesufi announced a R760 million water infrastructure upgrade during Gauteng’s SOPA.
- He highlighted billions in investment commitments aimed at creating over 100 000 jobs.
- Lesufi also pledged action against Ekurhuleni officials implicated in corruption at the Madlanga Commission.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has announced a R760 million infrastructure investment to tackle ongoing water challenges, while also outlining plans to boost economic growth and act against officials implicated in the Madlanga Commission.
Delivering his State of the Province Address (SOPA), Lesufi addressed several pressing issues affecting residents, including water shortages, unemployment and corruption in local government.
However, opposition parties were quick to criticise the speech.
The Democratic Alliance’s Gauteng leader, Solly Msimanga, said residents were tired of apologies that are not followed by real change.
“Lesufi’s apology means nothing when it is not followed by urgent action that improves people’s lives. Last year he did the same, apologised and failed to deliver. The only solution left is for him to inform the residents of Gauteng that he has failed to govern this province,” Msimanga said.
Water crisis
Gauteng has been battling water supply challenges, with Johannesburg hardest hit in recent weeks following infrastructure failures at Rand Water.
Some residents, particularly in Midrand, were left without water for more than three days.
Lesufi said a R760 million infrastructure upgrade is being rolled out in the City of Johannesburg through a phased approach to permanently address the crisis.
Construction of a new ground reservoir and water tower in Brixton is under way and is expected to go live this week to improve supply. An emergency boosting pump station has also been built and is set to become operational next week to stabilise affected areas,” he said.
Economic growth and jobs
Lesufi acknowledged Gauteng’s role as South Africa’s economic hub but admitted that unemployment and the high cost of living remain major challenges.
“As the economic heartland of South Africa, Gauteng should never be allowed to stop beating, for the consequences would be too dire for everyone,” he said.
Lesufi said the province attracted R312 billion in investment commitments during its inaugural Gauteng Investment Conference. Of that amount, R73 billion has moved to implementation stage, which he said will create 114 000 jobs across multiple sectors.
He added that Gauteng secured over R180 billion from the Presidential Investment Conference last year and aims to maintain similar performance at the upcoming summit.
Corruption and Ekurhuleni officials
Lesufi also addressed allegations of corruption involving officials in the City of Ekurhuleni, some of whom were implicated during proceedings at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.
Traffic officers, officials and city managers were linked to serious allegations, including criminal activity and protecting wrongdoing.
“We welcome the decision to bring to book those who were implicated in the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry,” Lesufi said.
This comes amid ongoing service delivery protests in Tembisa, where residents have raised concerns about electricity disconnections and inconsistent basic services. Ekurhuleni Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza has faced criticism from residents over service delivery challenges.
Lesufi said the municipality has invested in a new fleet to strengthen refuse removal, road maintenance and law enforcement. He added that hijacked buildings, including Pharoe Park and Airport Park, have been reclaimed through municipal enforcement operations.
He concluded that while the journey to improve Gauteng would not be easy, his administration remains committed to delivering on its promises.
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