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Capetonians have until the end of the month (30 April) to comment on the City’s R76,4 billion draft budget for 2024-’25, which was tabled recently.
The City’s “Building for Jobs” budget proposes a record infrastructure investment of R12,1 billion in 2024-’25, and nearly R40 billion over three years.
Addressing the City Council late last month, Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said making Cape Town safer is one of his key priorities.
He explained that R5,5 billion will be allocated to safety and security.
Over the next three-years, the City plans to invest R610 million in safety technology, with an additional R200 million already invested in the current financial year.
- This includes R29,7 million for CCTV cameras,
- R83,5 million for SA’s biggest dash and body cam rollout,
- R94,5 million for aerial surveillance,
- R10 million for gunshot detection,
- R15 million for drones
- R355 million for our overall Epic digital coordination across safety services for smart policing.
“In this year’s budget we have set aside R34 million to train 1 000 new Metro Police candidates who will be critical force multipliers for our policing operations in the coming years. We’ve also set aside R138 million to procure new vehicles over the three-year period.”
Justin Kumlehn, a member of the Western Cape Community Policing Forum Board, said any investment from any department of government or civil society that is made into the safety and security of our communities is welcomed by the provincial CPF Board.
“Crime knows no colours and all communities are at risk, some more than others and we need more investment into those communities that bear the brunt of the crime scourge.”
He added that they would like to see more focus on technology.
“Additional investment is needed in technology so that policing can evolve and beat crime in our communities.”
Hill-Lewis said R39,7 billion will be invested in infrastructure over the next three years.
He added that 75% of the City’s infrastructure spending would directly benefit lower-income households and areas.
The budget includes a R4,8 billion social package made up of R2,2 billion in rates rebates and R2,6 billion in indigent relief.
He explained that the R4,8 billion social package has increased by over R1 billion since the first full budget of this administration in 2022-’23.
According to Hill-Lewis if your property is valued at under R450 000, or if your household income is below R7 500, your monthly benefits will include a 100% rebate for property rates and refuse removal, 15kl of free water, 10,5 kl of free sanitation and up to 60 free units of electricity.
“More pensioners and social grant recipients will benefit from rates rebates, from the raised upper qualifying limit since 2023-’24, from R17 500 to R22 000 total monthly household income.”
Hill-Lewis said the City has further reduced Eskom’s 12,72% electricity increase to municipalities to 11,78% for City customers.
“I’m pleased to announce that our Lifeline customers using over 600 units will now pay 44% less – that’s R1,89 less per unit. This is to help larger households, backyard dwellers, and those using more electricity in winter.”
He explained that lifeline customers using 600 units in a month will pay R113,94 less compared to two years ago in 2022-’23.
“And now Lifeline customers can buy cheaper units above 600 units too, as long as they continue to qualify for the Lifeline tariff.”
To end load shedding R480 million will go towards the City’s plan to protect residents from four stages of load shedding by 2026.
Over three years, the City estimates it will spend R722 million on independent power purchases and R4 billion on upgrading Cape Town’s electrical grid to ensure it can cope with a dynamic, decentralised energy future.
The City will further invest heavily to make service delivery load shedding proof, with a budget of R680 million over three years.
To comment on the budget visit https://bit.ly/3Ts73SI
