Tshwane Mayor Solly Msimanga says the municipality needs R99 billion to improve infrastructure in the city.

Speaking at his post-budget speech session recently Msimanga said that the total capital budget for the current financial year amounted to R4 billion. He said the city had increased its maintenance budget by 21% for this year, amounting to R1.6 billion the Pretoria News reported.

He also explained the importance of investments to attract investors. “This year, we decided that R550 million would go towards ensuring that our industrial zones get a bit of a shake-up, so we are beginning to attract investors into that particular space.”

Msimanga added that National Treasury was happy with the budget “because it makes sense”. He dismissed claims that services for townships were not prioritised and pointed out that amount of R100 million had been put aside for housing in these areas.

According to Msimanga the city has identified areas that need intervention despite these areas not necessarily being within the municipality’s core mandate.

The city has set aside R9.9 million for early childhood development programmes and according to Msimanga, R5 million of this will go towards an after-school programme in the city’s seven regions. “The purpose of this initiative is to demonstrate that the city cares for its residents, particularly the children and the youth.

The city has also earmarked cable theft in the budget by setting aside and additional R100 million.

–Pretoria News