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The Gauteng delegation of the permanent delegates to the NCOP, as well as Members of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature received a briefing yesterday from the Premier of Gauteng, Mr Panyaza Lesufi, on the province’s progress and ongoing challenges in strengthening local government, among other things as part of the 2025 Provincial Week programme of the NCOP.

The briefing included updates from Members of the Executive Council on interventions to address incomplete, delayed and abandoned public infrastructure projects across the province.

The leader of the delegation, Ms Jane Mananiso, informed the Premier and the provincial executive that this year’s Provincial Week includes follow-up visits to projects that were assessed during last year’s Provincial Week programme.  
“This follow-up visit highlights the NCOP’s commitment to strengthening oversight, deepening accountability and improving the quality of life for all South Africans,” she said.  

Premier Lesufi outlined several areas of progress, particularly in law enforcement coordination, where the province’s integrated, boundary-less approach has resulted in thousands of arrests and enhanced readiness for major international events, including the G20. He also reported improvements in addressing street-light backlogs and strengthening community safety infrastructure. He told the delegation that vandalism and infrastructure destruction remain major obstacles.

The Premier said although a number of municipalities have clean audit outcomes for the 2024/25 financial year, financial sustainability remains a problem. He attributed the problem to the declining revenue generation which is exacerbated by the movement of businesses to independent power solutions and outdated indigent registers that continue to weaken municipal balance sheets.  

He informed the delegation that he called for decisive action in the province against infrastructure destruction, for government departments to settle outstanding municipal accounts, for the retention of skilled municipal professionals, and for the promotion of work ethic among workers in all areas to maximise service delivery.

The Premier emphasised that safeguarding Gauteng’s role as the country’s economic engine requires strengthened governance, accelerated infrastructure development,
expansion of the Gautrain and alleviation of the deepening culture of all forms of disruption that diminish service delivery.  

The delegation also received reports on the state of service delivery from the MECs of education and sport, roads and transport, health, infrastructure and cooperative governance, and finance.

The MEC for Infrastructure Development and COGTA, Mr Jacob Mamabolo, reported that formal households in Gauteng achieved 100% water provision in the fourth quarter. However, the City of Johannesburg reached only 14% of its target for informal settlements, while Merafong City provides no water services to informal areas.

Mr Mamabolo indicated that most municipalities exceed the acceptable water-loss range of 15–30%, highlighting significant infrastructure inefficiencies. Only Ekurhuleni and Lesedi remain within acceptable limits. Municipal plans submitted in 2024 to curb water and electricity losses have largely not been implemented, he said.

During a visit to the Women’s Living Heritage Monument, the delegation noted that the facility remains inoperational due to delays in issuing the occupancy certificate. A contractor is currently finalising outstanding work, and MEC Mamabolo assured the delegation that the project will be completed by 20 February 2026. The delegation requested a full written progress report within 14 days.

At the Transoranje School for the Deaf, the delegation welcomed the completion of essential rehabilitation and renovation works that improve safety and learning conditions for approximately 200 learners. Although the project delayed due to competing events and extended from December 2024 to March 2025, the delegation urged the department to prioritise the outstanding sports facility, which was excluded due to budget constraints.

The delegation also visited Semphato Junior Secondary School, where concerns were raised that the contractor may not meet the deadline of 1 December 2025, despite the project being 92% complete. The department confirmed issuing a Notice of Breach and acknowledged delays caused by late SMME payments.

Issued by the Parliamentary Communication Services on behalf of the leader of the Gauteng delegation to the NCOP, Jane Mananiso