The Ekurhuleni Metro’s quarterly report for October to December 2025 paints a disturbing picture of squandering, misguided priorities and a metro that spends tax money without delivering services.
The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) had warned during the budget process that constant tariff increases are unsustainable, because residents simply cannot afford them.
The latest report confirms this: the Metro’s projected revenue collection was R12,5 billion, but it only managed to collect R10,74 billion. This means R1,76 billion never reached the Metro’s bank account.
The collection rate of 85,93% falls well below the National Treasury’s target of 90% and clearly shows that residents are not unwilling to pay, but are financially overburdened.
If the target had been met, the funds could have been used for road repairs, park maintenance, sewerage works and basic upkeep.
Instead, the Metro’s cash flow is under severe pressure, with overdrafts needed to keep daily operations going.
Creditors total R10,49 billion, of which R6,46 billion is owed to Eskom and R900 million to the Ekurhuleni Water Care Company (ERWAT).
The biggest red flag remains electricity: the collection rate on Eskom electricity is only 23,24%. The Metro buys power, but does not recover the money.
While services keep deteriorating, overtime expenditure sky-rocketed to 46% above budget. Where R171,8 million was budgeted, R250,3 million was spent – an overrun of R78,5 million.
The Departments of Community Safety, ERWAT, Roads and Transport, Waste Management and Energy recorded the largest overtime overruns.
In addition, contracted services exceeded the budget by R517 million, while “other expenditure” overshot by R103 million.
The Metro’s exorbitant spending delivers no visible value, while residents experience decay on a daily basis.
Moreover, only 42,4% of the infrastructure budget had been spent by December, delaying projects and postponing maintenance. Infrastructure decays at an alarming rate and residents see no improvement.
Clearly, Ekurhuleni does not suffer so much from a lack of money as from a lack of management, discipline and accountability. A low collection rate, uncontrolled overtime, inflated contracts and misguided priorities lie at the heart of the crisis.
The Freedom Front Plus will keep pressing for improved revenue collection, less wasteful expenditure, proper maintenance and service delivery so that residents will finally receive value for money.
Freedom Front Plus Crime Prevention: The party emphasizes the need for effective crime prevention strategies.
twinkle
There was a postman who is always happy. in the other side there is harry who would just stares at the happy postman everyday and asks himself \”What\’s the secret of this man\”.
One day Harry decided to stop the postman and ask him why he\’s always smiling and happy, what he did.
the postman answered:\”Whenever I\’m handing a mail to a women I kisses her and I get more than just a kiss sometimes.\”
Harry liked the idea and went to a poste office and proposed for the job then he got it . In his first delivery Harry was so excited try the kissing thing out, and as he thought, there was a hot women in front of the first door, he went directly towared her and pasted her a kiss staight in the lips, in the center of that her husband suddenly appeared in front him and asked:\”WTF ARE YOU DOING.\”
\”I\’m just delivering a \’kiss\’ was sent from China\” Harry answered in a sporadic tone.
\”Very nice, you came on time, I want to send a \’Fuck\’ with you to South Africa\” the husband responded while draging Harry into the house.
Heavenly Connection
The cab driver feels compelled to flesh the story out, as its just the husband he\’s talking to.
\”yeah I remember that last shore leave in Johannesburg, me and the lads gagging for some action, end up in a dive bar and met this girl, we got a room and she was the the worst fuck I\’ve ever had!\”
The wife says \”what did he say?\”.
Husband \”the cab driver he says he might know you!\”