This week, we note with excitement that the National Treasury has confirmed that metros can use the unspent R2.4billion for water, sanitation and refuse removal in informal settlements! Can we now expect more progress now that metro budgets were boosted from unspent Urban Settlements Development Grant (USGD) funding?
Asivikelane release number 5 highlights that after extensive engagement with metros, water, sanitation and refuse problems in informal settlements persist. Services cost money – cleaning just one toilet costs over R80 but residents still report irregular cleaning of toilets in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Buffalo City and eThekwini.
While the challenges are dire, we are extremely grateful for many metro colleagues engaging with us and working tirelessly during the crisis. Here are some recent advances:
- Ekurhuleni’s water traffic light went green because the metro installed 173 water tanks in the last two months.
- Johannesburg’s refuse collection traffic light went from red to orange after residents reported improvements.
More on this Asivikelane number 5 release on the image on the right