25-06-2025
Mayor's bold steps to fix city's infrastructure
In Part Two of unpacking Mayor Lucky Sele's 2025 State of the City Address (SOCA) breakdown, the spotlight is on infrastructure development, including the rehabilitation of the Percy Stewart Waste Water Treatment Works, upgrades to sewer pump stations, a roads masterplan, and efforts to stabilise the energy supply.
The Krugersdorp News will provide a detailed breakdown of the key points discussed during the SOCA to help the public better understand the mayor's message and plans.
• Also read: Mayor speaks frankly on Mogale City's troubles, shares optimism
• Drinking water
In his address on June 19, he said that when they assumed office, the state of water and sanitation infrastructure in Mogale City presented a daunting reality.
'Years of underinvestment, vandalism, theft of critical components, and ageing infrastructure had left our systems vulnerable and many of our communities disillusioned.
Sewer overflows in informal settlements, unreliable water supply in peri-urban areas, and non-functional wastewater treatment facilities were not just technical challenges; they were a threat to human dignity, public health, and environmental sustainability.
'We resolved to restore dignity and reinstate infrastructure with a clear plan, committed leadership, and collaborative partnerships,' he added.
Sele state that the Water and Sanitation Division continued to do their part in restoring water standards, where the South African National Standard that specifies the minimum requirements for drinking water to be considered safe for human consumption, gave the city 100% compliance across all water distribution points, which includes reservoirs, water tankers, and hydrants.
He added, this was due to a robust partnership with Rand Water and Johannesburg Water, ensuring that residents receive safe, high-quality water.
• Sewer pump stations
Sele said they have responded to backlogs, where they have refurbished 17 sewer pump stations to date, with the remainder scheduled for completion in the 2025/ 26 financial year.
'These upgrades are crucial in reducing environmental pollution, improving public health outcomes, and ensuring compliance with national legislation.
In areas such as Noordheuwel, the replacement of ageing asbestos cement pipes with UPVC has improved water safety and reduced service interruptions.
'In preparation for population growth and greater demand, we have committed substantial capital investment to further strengthen our infrastructure backbone. This includes the construction of the Muldersdrift 15 megalitre reservoir, the replacement of water meters to curb non-revenue water, and major upgrades to wastewater treatment facilities.'
• Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTW)
Sele announced the rehabilitation of the Percy Stewart and Flip Human WWTW, which were previously non-operational due to cable theft and infrastructure decay.
'Percy Stewart is now 60% complete, and Flip Human at 29%, with full operation anticipated by the end of the 2025/ 26 financial year.
Interventions include restoring electrical systems, improving sludge handling, and unblocking pipelines, measures that are key to halting raw sewage discharge, protecting the environment, and ensuring biological efficiency in line with Water Use Licenses.'
• Also read: Over R22m allocated to revive Percy Stewart Waste Water Treatment Works
He added that in Magaliesburg, the local WWTW is structurally complete and will be commissioned once adequate flow is achieved from nearby pump stations.
He stated that Mogale City Local Municipality (MCLM) took hands with Infrastructure South Africa (ISA), where ISA has committed to collaborating with MCLM on the proposed water and sanitation infrastructure plans submitted for consideration.
• Municipal roads and transport infrastructure
He acknowledges years of deferred maintenance and procurement failures have left potholes, flooded intersections, and dust-swept gravel stretches in areas including townships, informal settlements and the CBD.
The Roads and Transport Division has begun to turn things around. In the 2024/ 25 financial year, over R3.6m was allocated towards gravel material and plant hire, with actual maintenance work commencing in February 2025.
'This has allowed the municipality to reclaim 95km of gravel roads through maintenance, with 3.5km already repaired, bringing much-needed relief to rural communities,' he revealed.
'Surfaced road upgrades are also taking shape. While procurement delays did impede early delivery, we have still achieved notable progress. Over 13 000 potholes have been repaired, and key stormwater systems have been cleared, mitigating flooding and improving road safety in affected wards.'
• Also read: R563 provincial road remains a problem
He said their broader vision is backed by a R38m capital expenditure allocation, targeting strategic resurfacing works in Kagiso, Munsieville, Azaadville, Rietvallei and the Krugersdorp CBD.
'Planning is currently underway to revise our Roads Masterplan. The aim is to align transport infrastructure with future spatial development needs, ensuring that our roads don't merely respond to today's pressure but anticipate tomorrow's growth.'
• Electricity
'We are proud to report that the Energy Services Division has delivered measurable and meaningful progress regarding stabilising the energy infrastructure. In the past financial year, we electrified over 1 000 households, bringing power and hope to previously marginalised areas. We've installed smart electricity meters, which enable efficient billing, prevent illegal connections, and empower residents to manage their usage more effectively. We have also undertaken critical upgrades to ageing substations, reinforcing the backbone of our municipal energy grid to reduce unplanned outages and improve service reliability.'
Sele added, to enhance community safety and visibility, especially in high-risk areas, the municipality has rolled out high-mast lighting installations and accelerated the repair of dysfunctional streetlights across various wards, where this has not only improved mobility and security but also reignited a sense of public order and shared urban space.
We are currently developing an Energy Services Master Plan, which will serve as the blueprint for long-term energy infrastructure investment and equitable access to electricity across the city.
'This master plan is a critical milestone in aligning our city with national energy priorities, advancing energy justice, and ensuring the financial sustainability of the division.'
In the third part of the series, the News will explain how the mayor addresses human settlements and real estate.
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