The latest performance report on the Ekurhuleni Metro’s Mayoral Outreach Programme reveals a clear discrepancy between political promises and actual service delivery.
Of the 231 service delivery commitments made in the fourth quarter of the 2025/26 financial year, only 58 (25,1%) were completed. A further 35 (15,2%) are still in progress, while 138 (59,7%) remain outstanding.
Residents do not measure a government by how many communities are visited or how many promises are made. They are interested in seeing potholes repaired, working streetlights, steps against illegal dumping and the delivery of basic services.
The report itself acknowledges that budget constraints, staff shortages, inadequate equipment, ageing infrastructure and procurement delays are hampering implementation.
The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) endorses direct engagement between the executive authority and communities. However, engaging without following up is not true service delivery. The real test is what happens when the cameras stop rolling after the promises were made.
Seeing as the elections are just around the corner, the party wonders whether the Outreach Programme is not increasingly used for political visibility rather than actually solving residents’ problems.
Commitments that are still “in progress” cannot be regarded as completed service delivery. A problem remains a problem until it is resolved.
Consequently, the Freedom Front Plus calls for more stringent monitoring, clear accountability and frequent follow-ups on every commitment made during such outreach programmes.
Ekurhuleni residents deserve an administration that consistently delivers basic services – working infrastructure, clean water, reliable electricity supply and safe streets – before, during and after elections.
