The Democratic Alliance (DA) is taking the ANC-led City of Ekurhuleni, its Mayor, and Acting City Manager to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) over the mismanagement of public infrastructure and the denial of essential services to residents.
This follows our exposé of R659 million worth of infrastructure listed by the City as “completed but remain unopened.” The shocking figure was revealed in an official response to questions we submitted to Gauteng MEC for Infrastructure Development and COGTA, Jacob Mamabolo.
The ANC’s failure to open publicly funded facilities in Ekurhuleni is no longer just a service delivery scandal. It is a human rights matter, and the DA is demanding accountability.
The R123 million Selcourt Reservoir is awaiting municipal services that include a pump station and substation; the R115 million Modder East Reservoir is awaiting a pump station; and the R107 million Masechba Reservoir project requires a transformer.
How can residents continue going without water when dams are nearly full, while critical infrastructure meant to strengthen water supply remains incomplete?
The scandal extends beyond water. Early Childhood Development centres worth over R46 million in Vosloorus and Eden Park have remained unopened since 2018, while a R108 million skills and enterprise centre in Reiger Park is not serving young people desperate for economic opportunities.
These failures have real consequences for families, children and communities who are denied the services their public money was meant to provide.
Our SAHRC complaint calls for an urgent investigation into the City’s violation of constitutional rights, including the right to access sufficient water, children’s rights and human dignity. We are also seeking action to get completed facilities operational and accountability from those responsible.
The ANC cannot spend millions on infrastructure, fail to deliver the services, and expect residents to simply accept it.
The people of Ekurhuleni deserve functioning services. The DA will fight to ensure that public money delivers public services and that the constitutional rights of Ekurhuleni residents are respected.