ANC feels heat in its Ekurhuleni metro

29 May 2015 - 02:28 By Olebogeng Molatlhwa

Faced with massive unemployment and service delivery protests, the ANC-run Ekurhuleni metro has admitted to being caught in "perpetual underspending" on service-related projects. The ANC in the region now fears that the underspending may cost it votes at next year's local government elections.Delivering Ekurhuleni's budget yesterday, Moses Makwakwa, member of the mayoral committee responsible for finance, conceded that underspending on projects was undermining the work of the city's government.Employment prospects in Ekurhuleni are bleak. Despite manufacturing receiving a battering countrywide, the metro has placed its employment creation prospects firmly on this sector.The city intends to invest in "metal products, machinery engineering and manufacturing, and industrial componentry" to drive up production and establish Ekurhuleni's comparative advantage in these industries.This is in addition to spending R2.9-billion in the 2015-2016 financial year on a stimulus package intended to increase procurement of services from businesses owned by youth, women and people with disabilities.Budget highlights 2015-2016:Budgeted revenue:R29.5-billion;Transport: R825-million;Roads and water:R1.2-billion;Energy: R1.4-billion;Water and sanitation:R1.1-billion;Human settlement:R579-million;Community safety:R128-million;Sports, recreation, arts and culture: R139-million;Health and social development: R104-million;Environment and waste management: R267-million;Economic development:R149-million; andInternet connectivity:R89-million...

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