The monthly MetroMonitor report is a summary of all the important events across the eight metros. The MetroMonitor project is supported by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF). To read the full report please click here. To find out more about the FNF and its work, please click the Friedrich Naumann Foundation.

ANC and EFF rift widens in Ekurhuleni and eThekwini

The fallout in Ekurhuleni from the delayed Auditor-General’s report weakened the already fragile relationship between the ANC and the EFF. While the ANC apportioned most of the blame to the mayor, an AIC councillor, the ANC-led provincial government was set to investigate both the mayor and speaker Nthabiseng Tshivhenga. Tshivhenga is an EFF councillor. EFF leader Julius Malema also blamed former mayor Mzwandile Masina for the metro’s state.

In eThekwini the EFF voted with the DA and IFP to remove the mayor, an ANC councillor. EFF councillor Themba Mvubu was removed from his chairperson position, possibly in retaliation.

Metros scramble to shore up their finances

The financial health of all the metros continued to decline. Johannesburg, Tshwane, and Nelson Mandela Bay were all threatened by National Treasury with grant reductions due to their chronic underspending. 

Tshwane announced a financial recovery plan with a strong focus on debt collection and credit control. City Power has cost Johannesburg R1-billion every month as a result of its underbilling.  In Buffalo City, the embattled development agency turned to the private sector to complete its overdue projects as council refused to give it another R42-million.

Protests increase as service delivery failures grow

Communities across the metros protested poor service delivery – in some cases the service delivery failures had persisted for years. In Johannesburg, communities from Ennerdale, Yeoville and Bellevue took to the streets. Residents from Salvokop, Tshwane called for the removal of their ward councillor while communities from Mamelodi and other parts of Tshwane planned a huge service delivery march.