Mo Shaik, of Moorton.
Image: Supplied
CHATSWORTH community leaders and residents have voiced concerns over the draft budget, calling for the prioritisation of essential services and infrastructure improvements to address the daily challenges.
The draft budget was recently presented by eThekwini mayor Cyril Xaba to the residents of Chatsworth, Bluff and Montclair, at the Nelson Mandela Youth Centre in Chatsworth.
He said over R530 million had been allocated for the next three financial years for upgrades and refurbishments in these areas.
The total budget of R74,7 billion comprised R68,8 billion in operating expenditure and R5,86 billion in capital spending for the Chatsworth community, including wards 17, 33, 65, 66, 68 – 75 and 77.
However, residents said the budget included projects that did not immediately relieve the pressures they experienced daily including water and electricity issues, lighting, and crime.
Proposed tariff increases were also announced.
A significant investment of R530,660.5 million is planned across Chatsworth.
Xaba said with the budget, the city sought to balance financial sustainability with accelerated service delivery.
Mayor Cyril Xaba addressed residents at the Nelson Mandela Youth Centre in Chatsworth.
Image: Supplied
“The development of the southern aqueduct will alleviate the water supply challenges in the southern areas. The city will invest R1,73 billion in water infrastructure and water loss prevention interventions, and R3,01 billion in upgrades to wastewater works; and R2,45 billion is allocated for electricity infrastructure,” he said.
Residents raised challenges including high, unaffordable tariffs, poor debt collection, and non-revenue water and sanitation.
Anita Ramdhanie, the deputy chairperson of the Chatsworth Community Police Forum, said issues such as service delivery, safety, infrastructure, and public participation were not adequately budgeted for.
Anita Ramdhanie, the deputy chairperson of the Chatsworth Community Policing Forum,
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She said the key priorities for the budget should have been road maintenance and pothole repairs, upgrading stormwater drainage to reduce flooding risks, and the maintenance of parks and community facilities.
“We also need a reliable water supply, quicker response to water leaks, improved street lighting and visible safety measures to combat crime, and regular refuse removal for cleaner public spaces.
“The budget should also be prioritised for youth development programmes, job creation, and support for local economic growth,” she added.
Ward 73 councillor Daniel Logan Mea said he was concerned that the Croftdene Library roof replacement project (project N3736), where R690,000 was allocated for the 2027/2028 financial year, was incorrectly reflected under ward 70 despite falling within the demarcation boundaries of ward 73.
He said the Sagittarius Street Project and the Westcliff Drive Project were also reflected in the budget for ward 73, despite them falling within ward 70.
“These inaccuracies raise serious concerns regarding the municipality’s planning processes, verification mechanisms, and overall understanding of its own ward demarcations.
“Incorrect project allocations are not minor administrative errors. They have direct implications for infrastructure planning, service delivery priorities, and future investment into communities.
“Ward 73 residents deserve a budget process that is accurate, transparent and responsive to the needs of communities, not what appears to be a rushed tick-box exercise containing incorrect information. We call on the municipality to urgently investigate and correct these discrepancies before the final adoption of the budget,” he added.
Rocky Naidoo, chairperson of the Havenside Civic Association, said they were disappointed that the Higginson Highway electricity upgrade and the Mobeni Heights Crematorium were not on the budget.
He said the crematorium remained a problem, as the civic association had followed up multiple times each year; however, the crematorium remained closed due to a lack of maintenance and no budget.
Teddy Govender, chairperson of the Chatsworth Civic and Ratepayers Association, said the proposed budget consultations had become a “tick-box exercise" for the municipality.
“When paying residents make valid suggestions, they are booed because the truth is not palatable. We are tired of poor revenue collection from government departments and government employees. Illegal connections, and the theft of water and lights by formal, informal and even businesses sectors was not addressed.
“Over 50% of potable water is lost through burst pipes, and long turnaround times for repairs. We need an investigation into unqualified artisans undertaking skilled work, and theft and corruption, which is siphoning off much of the income,” he added.
Silverglen resident, Nerish Lukhun, said he was concerned that despite constant increases in services and allocated budgets, there was little change in the community.
He urged the mayor to concentrate on reducing turnaround times for water leak repairs to curb water wastage, and called for better services from DSW so that illegal dumping was stopped.
Lukhun said the community was tired of rising costs and poor services.
Nerish Lukhun.
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Mo Sheik, another resident, questioned the increases and asked Xaba to consider how people would afford increases when salaries increased minimally each year.
Pooh Govender, chairperson of the Shallcross Civic and Residents Association, said they were pleased that the Shallcross swimming pool and stadium had been earmarked for refurbishments.
“We need timelines for repairs, upgrades and reopening of these facilities. We also call for a planned road rehabilitation and resurfacing projects affecting Everest Street, Alpine Drive, Klaarwater, Andes and surrounding roads, which continue to deteriorate, affecting both motorists and pedestrians, and creating growing safety and accessibility concerns for residents.
“The continued neglect of these facilities and roads raises broader concerns regarding equitable service delivery, and the fair allocation of municipal resources to communities such as Shallcross.
“Communities cannot continue paying more while public infrastructure, recreational facilities, and roads remain neglected or unusable. Residents deserve safe roads, functional recreational spaces, and meaningful service delivery that contributes positively to community well-being and development,” Govender added.