ETHEKWINI MUNICIPALITY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ETHEKWINI MUNICIPALITY FULL COUNCIL DECISIONS
EThekwini Municipality held its Ordinary Full Council meeting on 30 July 2026, during which several key resolutions were approved to accelerate service delivery, infrastructure development, public transport and housing initiatives across the city.
CITY MAINTAINS STRONG REVENUE COLLECTION PERFORMANCE
The City continues to demonstrate strong financial management, achieving a revenue collection rate of 92% in June 2026 and a cumulative collection rate of 94% for the 2025/26 financial year.
From July 2025 to June 2026, the Municipality collected R48.58 billion from its own revenue sources, exceeding its budgeted revenue target. This strong financial performance enables the City to continue funding essential services, maintaining critical infrastructure, and investing in projects that improve the quality of life of residents.
As part of its debt reduction strategy, the Municipality has strengthened its credit control measures through a dedicated Disconnection Committee led by the Executive Director of Finance and supported by the Executive Director of Trading Services.
The committee meets weekly to oversee and monitor revenue recovery initiatives.
During June 2026, the Municipality disconnected 7 525 water services linked to outstanding debt of approximately R917.5 million and carried out 16 578 electricity disconnections relating to arrears of approximately R1.63 billion.
Over the course of the 2025/26 financial year, the Municipality implemented 69 726 water disconnections associated with debt of approximately R8.13 billion and 78 869 electricity disconnections linked to arrears of approximately R7.66 billion.
These interventions form part of the Municipality's ongoing efforts to improve revenue collection, reduce debt levels and encourage a culture of payment for municipal services.
CITY SEEKS STRONGER GOVERNMENT SUPPORT TO ACCELERATE INFORMAL SETTLEMENT UPGRADING
Council resolved to engage Provincial and National Government on measures aimed at strengthening the implementation of informal settlement upgrading programmes to improve the delivery of housing and basic services.
Council noted that rapid urbanisation, increasing demand for housing, limited availability of suitable land, infrastructure constraints and funding shortages continue to slow project implementation and place pressure on the Municipality's ability to meet growing housing needs.
The Municipality will advocate for improved implementation approaches, increased grant funding and alternative financing mechanisms. It will also pursue policy reforms that support higher-density housing developments, enhanced security of tenure and innovative housing delivery models suited to urban environments.
Council further supported phased implementation approaches for projects affected by land constraints, oversubscription and funding limitations, while emphasising the need for stronger intergovernmental coordination to accelerate planning approvals, land acquisition and infrastructure provision.
The resolution follows lessons learned from projects such as the Namibia Stop 8 Housing Project, which highlighted the complexities associated with informal settlement upgrading in a rapidly growing metropolitan environment.
Through these engagements, the Municipality aims to secure greater support from provincial and national partners to deliver sustainable housing solutions, improve living conditions and expand access to safe, serviced communities.
CITY TAKES IMPORTANT STEP TO IMPROVE WATER SUPPLY IN QUARRY HEIGHTS
Council approved the initiation of a land acquisition process to facilitate the construction of a new reservoir and elevated water tank aimed at improving water supply reliability in Quarry Heights and the surrounding Colt area.
The approval authorises the Municipality to acquire the required land and secure servitudes for associated water pipelines through private treaty negotiations or, where necessary, expropriation in accordance with applicable legislation.
This approval relates solely to the land acquisition process. Construction of the reservoir and elevated water tank will commence once the required land has been acquired and transferred into the ownership of eThekwini Municipality.
Residents in Quarry Heights currently experience intermittent water supply and low water pressure, particularly in higher-lying areas.
The proposed infrastructure will strengthen the local water distribution network, improve supply reliability and support future development in the area.
The project forms part of the Municipality's ongoing investment in water infrastructure to ensure residents have access to a reliable and sustainable water supply.
CITY STRENGTHENS EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS THROUGH SANPC PARTNERSHIP
Council approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between eThekwini Municipality and the South African National Petroleum Company (SANPC) to enhance fire safety, emergency preparedness and coordinated incident response at the SANPC refinery.
The refinery, located on the former SAPREF site in southern Durban, is a strategic component of South Africa's fuel storage infrastructure and houses significant volumes of crude oil.
Effective collaboration between SANPC and the Municipality's Fire Services Directorate is therefore essential to ensuring swift and coordinated responses to potential emergencies.
The MoU will establish a formal framework for cooperation, clearly defining the responsibilities of both parties regarding fire safety, emergency preparedness and incident management.
Council also authorised the Municipality's Legal and Compliance Directorate to draft the agreement and determine the terms and conditions that will govern the partnership.
This agreement reinforces the Municipality's commitment to protecting lives, safeguarding strategic infrastructure and strengthening public safety through partnerships with key stakeholders.
EARLY WARNING SYSTEMS TO BETTER PROTECT COMMUNITIES
To enhance disaster preparedness and ensure residents receive timely and accurate warnings about severe weather events and other potential hazards, Council approved the development of Memoranda of Agreement (MoAs) with key strategic partners to strengthen the Municipality's Early Warning System.
The agreements will formalise cooperation between the Municipality and organisations including the South African Weather Service, national and provincial government departments, telecommunications providers, academic institutions and private-sector partners.
These partnerships will support the sharing of critical information, the dissemination of early warnings and coordinated emergency response efforts.
The enhanced Early Warning System builds on lessons learned from recent flood disasters and seeks to ensure that accurate information reaches municipal departments, emergency services, ward structures, businesses and communities at risk.
Council further authorised the City Manager to sign the Memoranda of Agreement on behalf of the Municipality once finalised.
By strengthening collaboration with key stakeholders, the Municipality is enhancing its capacity to prepare for and respond to disasters, helping to protect lives, minimise risk and build more resilient communities.
GO! DURBAN ROLLOUT TO PRIORITISE BRIDGE CITY-PINETOWN CORRIDOR
Council noted progress towards the operationalisation of the GO! Durban Programme, with the C3 Corridor between Bridge City and Pinetown identified as the immediate implementation priority.
The phased rollout follows Council's approval of a revised implementation approach designed to introduce services in a financially sustainable and operationally viable manner.
Council further noted that the Municipality is aligning the programme with evolving national funding arrangements through the adoption of an operations-led and affordability-focused model.
A detailed Operational and Business Plan will be presented separately to address financial implications, including operating costs, fleet requirements and long-term sustainability.
As part of the phased rollout, Council also noted plans for a pilot Inner City Distribution Service utilising electric buses, subject to funding availability, operational readiness and supporting infrastructure.
The Municipality will continue preparations for the launch of services through engagements with affected public transport operators, the establishment of Vehicle Operating Companies, and the completion of operational planning and contractual processes.
Engagements with the National Department of Transport, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport and National Treasury will also continue to secure the funding and support required for the successful transition to a modern, integrated public transport system.
The GO! Durban Programme remains a key strategic initiative aimed at providing residents with safe, reliable, affordable and efficient public transport while improving connectivity between communities, economic opportunities and essential services across the city.
ENDS
Issued by eThekwini Municipality's Marketing and Communications Directorate
