Latest news with #Arnolds
The South African
5 days ago
- Business
- The South African
Billions allocated to rescue Johannesburg's infrastructure
The City of Johannesburg has committed over R13 billion in multi-year funding to stabilise struggling municipal entities, improve service delivery, and support long-term economic growth. Finance MMC Margaret Arnolds revealed the allocations during the city's 2025/26 budget speech on Wednesday, pledging to move Johannesburg 'from planning to progress.' Johannesburg's municipal entities are under significant strain. Years of underinvestment, ageing infrastructure, and revenue shortfalls have created essential services backlogs. Furthermore, Arnolds said the new budget responds to that challenge, reflecting a 'statement of intent' from the city and its residents. 'This budget was built through public dialogue, regional forums, and sectoral engagements,' she said. 'And in every hall, every meeting, every township, the message was clear: We want a city that works.' City Power, which owes Eskom over R1 billion, will receive R4.6 billion over the next three years. The allocation aims to help stabilise the city's power grid. 'This infrastructure will not only support economic continuity, but also enhance household financial stability,' said Arnolds. In addition, Johannesburg Water will receive the largest allocation, R5.6 billion, to address a R27 billion infrastructure backlog and reduce water losses. 'Through intentionally increasing infrastructure investment, the city will begin to claw back on water losses that eat away at resources that could potentially be available to re-invest in infrastructure for the future,' Arnolds noted. The water utility loses over R2 billion annually due to leaks and illegal connections and is owed nearly R500 million by government departments and state-owned entities. Furthermore, the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) has been allocated R2.8 billion, with R400 million earmarked for expanding stormwater infrastructure in flood-prone areas like Orange Farm and Ivory Park. The goal is to boost urban resilience and improve access between townships and economic hubs. 'These investments are part of the broader spatial transformation agenda, creating inclusive, walkable neighbourhoods and connecting marginalised communities to the city economy,' said Arnolds. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Eyewitness News
6 days ago
- Business
- Eyewitness News
CoJ allocates R3bn to revamp CBD
JOHANNESBURG - The City of Joburg has now put plans to revamp the CBD on paper, with R3 billion allocated to improve conditions in the area. But this R3 billion is not exclusive to the city centre, as it will also go towards refurbishing other underdeveloped communities is Johannesburg. Finance MMC Margaret Arnolds announced during her budget speech on Wednesday that Eldorado Park, Lenasia South, Diepsloot and Orange Farm would also benefit from the money. Opposition parties in Johannesburg are concerned about the metro's efforts to revamp the CBD, arguing that the area needs a dedicated budget of its own. They believe the R3 billion allocated to underdeveloped communities was not enough, given the extent of decay in some areas. But Arnolds said city's departments also have their own individual budgets allocated specifically for the rejuvenation of the CBD. "These allocations include bulk infrastructure upgrades, human settlements support, and roads and stormwater systems linked to economic nodes." The Gauteng government is also running its own programme intended to rejuvenate Johannesburg's CBD.
IOL News
6 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Joburg's budget aims to combat rampant crime and improve safety
The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department has been allocated more resources to tackle crime across the city. The Johannesburg Central Business District (CBD), once a vibrant epicentre of finance and commerce, is now grappling with an alarming rise in crime that casts a long shadow over its efforts for revitalisation. But there is a glimmer of hope, with the city yesterday announcing new plans to tackle the scourge. As the police force employs various strategies to enhance security, the persistent issues of theft, robbery, and hijackings have put both residents and businesses on edge. The CBD's reputation for being a high-crime area is not unfounded, as reports indicate a worrying trend in criminal activity. Victims recount harrowing experiences, from being held at gunpoint during daylight hours to having their vehicles forcibly taken in broad daylight. The subject of the high crime rate in the province featured prominently in the White House last week when the South African delegation was hosted by the US government. Last year, Gauteng Premier was quoted as saying the crime in the province is giving him ''sleepless nights'. However, this could change if the City of Johannesburg has its way. Yesterday, the City of Joburg's pledge to protect residents from rampant crime across the municipality should come as a relief; moreover, as the city prepares to host world leaders later this year. Johannesburg will be hosting the G20 Summit, a meeting of heads of state and government held from 22 to 23 November 2025 Finance MMC Margaret Arnolds has announced increased resources for the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD). Arnolds tabled the R89.4 billion budget for the 2025/26 financial year at the council chambers in Braamfontein yesterday.
IOL News
6 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Joburg allocates R6. 4 billion for infrastructure repairs and urban renewal
The Johannesburg Roads Agency plans to complete rehabilitating the Lilian Ngoyi Street in Johannesburg by the end of August 2025. Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers The City of Johannesburg has set aside R6.4 billion to repair and maintain its aging infrastructure and plans to complete rehabilitating Lilian Ngoyi Street (formerly Bree Street) by the end of August. Margaret Arnolds, the municipality's Finance MMC, announced the plans on Wednesday when she tabled the R89.4 billion budget for the 2025/26 financial year. 'The city has established an expanded maintenance budget for water and electricity infrastructure, recognising that prevention is more cost-effective than repair. 'The repairs and maintenance budget amounts to R6.4bn, 7% of the property plant and equipment budget, and this will increase over the medium term to 7.2%,' Arnolds said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ She stated that 47% of the budget will go towards asset renewal, which augments the repairs and maintenance budget by bringing a new lease of life to aging infrastructure, and that by the third year, this will increase to 58% of the budget. Additionally, Arnolds explained that as part of the municipality's commitment to rebuilding a safe, resilient, and inclusive inner city, the first phase of the Lilian Ngoyi Street rehabilitation will be completed by August 30, 2025. The project is led by the Johannesburg Roads Agency and represents more than just the repair of critical infrastructure, according to the African Independent Congress councillor. 'It is a bold investment in urban renewal, economic revitalisation and public safety. We are restoring a vital artery,' Arnolds said. In July 2023, the busy street was damaged after a gas explosion that left one person dead and over 40 injured. Arnolds said the city's top priority was restoring basic services. 'We heard our residents, those waiting for refuse to be collected, for water leaks to be fixed, and for power outages to end. That is why the city has implemented a service failure tracking system through the war room. This centralised hub monitors water leaks, electricity disruptions, refuse non-collection, and road damage in real time,' added Arnolds. She said the war room allows for rapid deployment of resources to high-complaint areas and integrates data from all municipal entities for decisive action. Arnolds added that the city has operationalised a cross-cutting war room that functions as an executive oversight and early-warning mechanism over the past year.
Eyewitness News
6 days ago
- Business
- Eyewitness News
CoJ's R200 prepaid electricity surcharge extended for another financial year
JOHANNESBURG - There is no good news for prepaid electricity customers in Johannesburg, as the R200 surcharge has been extended for another financial year. Finance MMC Margaret Arnolds confirmed during her budget speech on Wednesday that the surcharge was here to stay. It was first implemented in July 2024, causing public outrage about soaring electricity prices. ALSO READ: - CoJ allocates more than R5bn to address water challenges over next three years - City of Joburg's Finance MMC tables R89bn budget - ActionSA says won't support CoJ budget unless R200 electricity surcharge scrapped The City of Johannesburg expects to generate R25 billion in electricity revenue in the next financial year, which is a 12.5% increase from the current fiscal period. A significant driver of this increase is the controversial R200 surcharge imposed on prepaid electricity users. Although the surcharge adds to the financial burden on residents, Arnolds said that maintaining it at R200 was in the best interest of taxpayers. "We refuse to allow economic pressure to push our people further into the margins. That is why we are holding the prepaid electricity surcharge unchanged at R200, excluding VAT - a deliberate act to protect the poor against rising energy costs. "This budget makes it clear: we will not govern in a way that reproduces inequality. Our pro-poor programme is a political choice rooted in the values of equity, dignity, and redress. It is a signal that in the City of Johannesburg, no one will be left behind. Not on our watch." She said that other metros in the country also imposed a similar electricity surcharge, and claimed that Johannesburg remained more affordable in comparison.
