ETHEKWINI NEWSFLASH
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESIDENTIAL ETHEKWINI WORKING GROUP (PEWG) ACCELERATES INFRASTRUCTURE REGENERATION AND INVESTMENT
The Presidential eThekwini Working Group (PeWG) has advanced several key infrastructure, economic, and water-security interventions aimed at unlocking development in the City.
Led collaboratively by national and municipal leadership, the PeWG operational workstreams are driving visible improvements across critical economic and service-delivery streams.
In the July monthly Co-Chairpersons meeting, various progress reports were tabled highlighting strategic PeWG interventions.
A major economic highlight is Toyota’s reaffirmed R10 billion investment in its eThekwini plant to manufacture the next generation of the Toyota Hilux, signalling strong industrial confidence in the region.
To protect this critical sociology-economic footprint in the South Durban Basin, the group is fast-tracking the Umlazi Canal Upgrade. Following a high-level financing workshop convened by the Presidency, stakeholders have finalised the scope of a comprehensive R310 million feasibility study to mitigate catastrophic flood risks and secure blended public-private financing for the eventual R4.5 billion canal infrastructure overhaul.
Significant progress is also evident across spatial and transport networks. The eThekwini Integrated Public Transport Network (IPTN) remains firmly on track for its December 2026 service launch.
Meanwhile, the multi-million-rand rehabilitation of Everton Road has been completed, restoring an essential suburban-business artery. Under Workstream 5, the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) is overseeing 18 community development projects valued at R391.5 million along the critical N2 and N3 transport corridors.
Operationally, the city is shifting from planning to measurable service-delivery implementation. The eThekwini Water and Sanitation (EWS) Unit has successfully established its turnaround and governance frameworks. Supported by leak detection, valve maintenance, and ongoing customer-data cleansing initiatives, non-revenue water has decreased by 3%, bringing the level down to 55.7%.
On the safety front, the metro has intensified its crackdown on illegally occupied buildings in the Central Business District (CBD) while expanding the operational footprint of its municipal CCTV network. More than 58% of the city’s command-centre cameras are fully functional, actively providing evidence for prosecutions and contributing to improved public safety.
Furthermore, the formal transition of the Partnerships Framework to the newly operationalised Economic Development Workstream (Workstream 8) is helping to bridge the gap between government structures and the private sector.
By driving targeted interventions through specialised teams, the PeWG continues to systematically remove legislative, financial, and logistical bottlenecks, supporting efforts to restore Durban’s full economic potential.
Chairperson Mike Mabuyakhulu said President Cyril Ramaphosa is impressed by the improvements being made in eThekwini. “We regularly report to the President on the progress made each month. I must say that the President is pleased and is closely monitoring the work we are doing in Durban against the 18-month target, which runs until late 2027,” he said.
Mabuyakhulu also indicated that work to integrate the PeWG into the District Development Model (DDM) has commenced. “Part of the work we are undertaking involves phasing out the PeWG by November 2027 and integrating its functions into the DDM, provided everything proceeds according to plan,” he said.
ENDS
Issued by eThekwini Municipality’s Marketing and Communications Directorate
