ETHEKWINI MUNICIPALITY NEWSFLASH
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CITY'S 2026/2027 DRAFT BUDGET PRIORITISES BASIC SERVICES AND WARD-BASED INFRASTRUCTURE
On Monday, 4 May, eThekwini Municipality presented its draft budget for the 2026/2027 financial year, outlining a total budget of R74.7 billion, comprising R68.8 billion in operating expenditure and R5.86 billion in capital spending to the community in Chatsworth and surrounding wards, including wards 17, 33, 65, 66, 68 - 75 and Ward 77.
This engagement forms part of the ongoing IDP/Budget consultation process.
The budget reflects Council’s commitment to service delivery, infrastructure renewal and social protection, while responding to fiscal pressures arising from infrastructure damage, increased bulk tariffs and constrained revenue growth.
The operating budget focuses on sustaining essential services, maintenance and institutional capacity, with significant allocations directed towards creating a quality living environment and ensuring a financially sustainable city.
The capital budget prioritises long-term infrastructure investment, particularly in water, sanitation, electricity, housing, transport and community facilities.
A major driver of the capital programme is Trading Services, which accounts for over R2.5 billion in 2026/27. This includes R995 million for sanitation, R495.7 million for water, and R746.4 million for electricity infrastructure.
Over the medium-term, key citywide projects include wastewater treatment works upgrades, water loss reduction and pipe replacement programmes, and electricity network reinforcement to improve reliability and capacity.
The Municipality has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting vulnerable households through an expanded social package. This includes free basic water (6kl per month), free basic electricity (50–65 kWh per month, depending on supply area), sanitation relief, refuse removal exemptions, and rates rebates for qualifying households, pensioners, persons with disabilities and child-headed households.
At a ward level, significant investments, worth R530,660.5 million are planned across the Chatsworth zone.
Some of the major investments include the following:
• Ward 33 records the highest allocation in 2026/27, driven by R137 million for the Umbilo Wastewater Treatment Works flood dam rehabilitation and R30 million for the Bulwer electricity substation upgrade
• Ward 74 sees major sanitation investment, including R40 million for the Umlazi Canal inverted syphon and extensive road rehabilitation projects
• Ward 75 is anchored by R45 million for the new Lansdowne pump station, alongside electricity upgrades at the Durban South 275kV substation
• Ward 17 features a substantial R14.1 million electricity upgrade in Klaarwater and ongoing community infrastructure block funding
• Wards 65, 66 and 68 benefit from a mix of sanitation pipeline repairs, wastewater treatment upgrades and electricity substation improvements, ensuring improved service reliability and resilience
Mayor Cyril Xaba explained:
"Through this budget, eThekwini Municipality seeks to balance financial sustainability with accelerated service delivery, placing communities at the centre of infrastructure investment and social support for the 2026/2027 financial year."
Xaba explained that the development of the Southern Aqueduct will alleviate the challenges currently being experienced with water supply in the southern areas."
The City will be investing R1. 73 billion in water infrastructure and water loss prevention interventions and R3.01 billion in upgrades to wastewater works.
In addition, R2.34 billion has been allocated to low cost housing and related infrastructure, and R2.45 billion for electricity infrastructure."
He provided a report on the Catalytic Projects underway.
Communities raised the issue of the high tariffs being unaffordable, poor debt collection, non revenue water, sanitation, amongst others as challenges.
Mayor Xaba thanked residents for their participation.
“These engagements are important, as your inputs will be considered in finalising the budget,” he said.
ENDS
Issued by the eThekwini Municipality, Marketing and Communications Directorate
