EKURHULENI, Gauteng — The City of Ekurhuleni is facing intensifying scrutiny over a deepening financial crisis, deteriorating service delivery, and widespread corruption allegations recently exposed at the Madlanga Commission. As the metro grapples with outstanding bulk service accounts and a loss of fiscal control, experts warn that the sustainability of essential services for residents is under severe threat.
The metro’s financial health has taken a sharp downward trajectory, according to Paul Berkowitz, Director at Hlaziya Solutions. While the city maintained clean audits between 2020 and 2022, it has since regressed to a qualified or adverse audit outcome. Berkowitz noted that the Madlanga Commission has blown the lid off a culture of impunity and a lack of accountability, underscored by the tragic murders of young municipal auditors in recent years.
Izak Berg of the Independent Ratepayers Association of South Africa (IRASA) echoed these concerns, stating that following a recent regime change, a deliberate gap in internal controls allowed corrupt officials to loot the metro of billions of rand. This looting depleted previous municipal reserves that once stood at R7 billion. Berg noted that IRASA has managed to recoup R850 million of the looted funds, though significant amounts remain unaccounted for. Despite historical concerns over billions in arrears, Berg also highlighted recent updates indicating that Eskom and Rand Water accounts are currently up to date.
Resident satisfaction regarding service delivery has plummeted. On a severity scale where one represents the best outcome and eight the worst, water outages and refuse removal scored a “two.” While this appears favorable compared to national crises, it still translates to more than a fifth of households waiting two or more days for water, with some wards experiencing outages lasting over a week. Additionally, 10% of households lack grid electricity, and 7% rely on substandard toilet facilities, which scored a “five” on the severity index. Berg emphasized that residents paying municipal rates and taxes demand quality, timely repairs for potholes and traffic lights, rather than waiting months or years for basic maintenance.
The metro’s financial stability was relatively strong between 2016 and 2021, a period when the ANC formed a coalition with the AIC after losing its majority. During that five-year administration, the city achieved multiple consecutive clean audits. However, operational degradation accelerated after 2021, particularly following the 2023 ANC-EFF coalition takeover. Revenue collection has also declined, primarily driven by under-collection from residential households, despite the city’s robust industrial base and the economic anchor of OR Tambo International Airport.
Safety and security remain pressing concerns. Berg highlighted that morale within the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) is severely low following the Madlanga Commission revelations. The previously suspended police chief has returned for a six-month handover period. Compounding the issue, a generation of officials who served over the last 25 years have reached retirement age without formal replacement plans, leaving residents feeling vulnerable. Berg advocated for the devolution of policing powers, granting the metro the authority to arrest and prosecute offenders directly to improve case outcomes.
Addressing the implicated officials, including former city manager Imogen Mashazi and Julius Mkhwanazi, Berg pointed to a history of political protection and the systematic covering up of Special Investigating Unit (SIU) recommendations. He called for further investigations into unexplained, privately funded overseas trips by former leadership.
Despite the grim outlook, Berkowitz expressed cautious optimism that the Madlanga Commission could drive real administrative cleanup. Unlike past inquiries, he noted that real-time arrests and the threat of prosecutions are already underway, signaling a potential shift toward genuine accountability.
Public sentiment reflects the severity of the situation. A recent viewer poll indicated that an overwhelming 87% of respondents believe corruption is the primary driver of the City of Ekurhuleni’s financial and operational collapse.
