Lerato Mailoane
The Gauteng Provincial Government will introduce a series of key performance indicators to track and improve municipal performance across the province.
This framework aims to provide measurable targets to guide the turnaround of municipalities facing significant challenges.
Addressing the end of the two-day Local Government Summit, MEC for Infrastructure Development and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Jacob Mamabolo said the key to the province’s strategy is to hold monthly meetings with all municipalities.
These meetings will focus on planning, modelling, and risk management and serve as essential checkpoints for evaluating municipal progress.
The MEC also stressed the need for a dedicated turnaround committee to monitor executive actions and ensure that strategic plans are actively implemented rather than remaining merely aspirational.
“Implementation of the decisions here will make or break the summit’s work,” he said.
The two-day Local Government Turnaround Summit, which brought together leaders from all spheres of government, adopted several resolutions and declared a pathway for strategic cooperation and resource pulling to address some of the burning issues in local government.
Premier Panyaza Lesufi highlighted the necessity of a cohesive plan that integrates local, provincial, and national government efforts to meet residents’ needs.
Addressing attendees, Lesufi underscored that residents do not differentiate between levels of government; hence, coordinated action is essential.
The premier outlined critical focus areas for municipalities, including upgrading ageing infrastructure, addressing impending water shortages, and resolving revenue collection issues.
He also discussed new strategies to manage undocumented foreign nationals, combat crime, curb land invasions, and revitalise townships and central business districts.
“Our cities and townships are dirty and smelly. We have to clean Gauteng. If your municipality can’t clean, we’ve appointed Pikitup to clean it up.”
Acknowledging Gauteng’s status as South Africa’s economic hub, Lesufi called for improved transport infrastructure and management.
“The last area is the transport modes. We must manage those in the industry, from taxis, users, trucks and buses. We can’t have a scholar transport that kills our children.
“We are pushing for one transport management, so have order in this sector.”
On crime, Lesufi introduced a community-based approach, where government services converge on high-crime areas from Friday to Monday each month to apprehend offenders, aiming to restore community safety.
He also pressed for enhanced disaster management, noting that recent floods and other disasters demand proactive preparedness.
“We live in the years of disaster; if you can’t prepare for disaster, we will find ourselves in water. Some bridges fall when clouds gather – when the clouds gather. We need better disaster management,” he said.
A cornerstone of Lesufi’s plan includes linking CCTV cameras across Gauteng to monitor and address vehicle-related crimes, including selling fake number plates.
He also highlighted the importance of cashless payment systems in reducing the risk of cash-in-transit heists and other crimes.
“For every crime in the province, a car is involved. People are selling number plates in the CBD, and we are overhauling that system.
“Everyone in Gauteng will have their number plate that they [will] use so they can’t be cloned. Law enforcement must declare war on cars driving without number plates,” Lesufi explained.
He also mentioned the roll-out of an e-Panic button for all traffic police vehicles, already boasting 80 000 downloads, which allows rapid responses to emergencies.
“Gone are the days of 10111. We want you to press a panic button. If it’s serious, the helicopters will come. We are monitoring these panic buttons.”
Lesufi further noted Johannesburg’s commitment to repair 600 broken CCTV cameras and expand township surveillance.
Lesufi urged significant investment in Gauteng’s cities, particularly Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni, to stimulate economic growth. He criticised Emfuleni’s financial troubles, where significant businesses pay Eskom directly, bypassing the municipality.
Addressing the indigent register, Lesufi announced plans to launch an e-indigent register by April 2025, ensuring that only genuinely disadvantaged residents receive services. Those who secure employment will be required to contribute accordingly.
SOURCED FROM THE GPG WEBSITE.
