ETHEKWINI NEWSFLASH
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ETHEKWINI MUNICIPALITY SPECIAL FULL COUNCIL DECISIONS
EThekwini Municipality held a special Full Council meeting today, 29 June, where the following items were approved.
APPROVAL OF MINIMUM COMMITMENTS 5 FOR BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT PLANS AND PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT ACTION PLAN
Full Council approved important business and performance improvement plans for the City's Water and Sanitation and Electricity and Energy Directorates.
The approval is a key requirement of the National Treasury's Metro Trading Services Reform Programme and will enable the Municipality to remain eligible for future performance-based incentive funding.
According to the report, failure to approve the plans could have placed at risk approximately R1 billion in potential funding to support critical infrastructure and service delivery improvements.
The approved Business and Investment Plans provide a roadmap for improving the financial sustainability, operational efficiency and long-term performance of the City's water and electricity services.
They also identify priority investments needed to strengthen these essential services.
Full Council also approved the Performance Improvement Action Plan, which outlines clear actions and measurable targets to improve accountability, financial management and service delivery.
The plan will guide implementation over the coming years and ensure that progress is regularly monitored and independently verified.
The Municipality has already met the initial requirements of the reform programme and received the first tranche of incentive funding.
Today's approval ensures that the City remains on track to meet the next programme milestone and continues accessing funding that will support infrastructure development and improved services for residents.
To strengthen oversight and accountability, Council noted the recommendation that quarterly progress reports be submitted to relevant committee on the implementation of the plans.
EXTENSION OF WASTE MANAGEMENT CONTRACTS
To ensure the uninterrupted delivery of essential waste management services to all communities across the City, Full Council approved the extension of five existing waste management contracts on a month-to-month basis for a maximum period of six months, from 1 July 2026 to 31 December 2026.
The decision will ensure the continued provision of refuse collection, street cleaning and litter-picking services while the procurement process for new long-term contracts is finalised.
The Municipality is currently in the process of appointing new service providers.
It was reported that following a comprehensive review of service areas, the tender process attracted 557 submissions, with the evaluation process now nearing completion.
The temporary extension is intended solely to maintain critical services during the transition to the new contracts and to prevent any disruption to waste collection and street cleaning services across the City.
As required by law, the Municipality conducted a public participation process on the proposed contract amendments.
The public notice was published on 24 April 2026 and closed on 25 May 2026.
No objections or representations were received.
During Full Council deliberations, it was emphasised the importance of strengthening planning and contract management to ensure replacement contracts are procured well before existing agreements expire.
Council also noted the Executive Committee's commitment to enhancing oversight of contract management by requiring regular reports on contracts nearing expiry and on the progress of replacement procurement processes.
ENDS
Issue by eThekwini Municipality’s Marketing and Communications Directorate
