IDP Summit Sparks Heated Discussions on Service Delivery and Development

The City of Johannesburg’s Integrated Development Plan (IDP) summit in Roodepoort City Hall saw residents voicing frustrations over service delivery and infrastructure challenges. The gathering, held on 29 March 2025, marked the first in a series of citywide summits aimed at shaping local development priorities.

Operating under the theme “The People’s Plan – Reimagining the City through the Eyes of the Residents,” the summit emphasized public participation in municipal decision-making. More than 1,000 residents joined the session virtually through the city’s social media platforms, demonstrating widespread interest in shaping Johannesburg’s future. The event began with interactive exhibition stalls, where city officials engaged with residents on service delivery concerns. Discussions covered infrastructure, housing, economic development, and public safety, with many attendees demanding more accountability for past project delays.

City Leadership Addresses Residents’ Concerns

Among the city officials in attendance were:

• Executive Mayor Dada Morero

• Speaker of Council Nobuhle Mthembu

• Mayoral Committee Members Loyiso Masuku (Corporate and Shared Services), Mgcini Tshwaku (Public Safety), and Margaret Arnolds (Finance)

Mayor Morero outlined the city’s financial constraints, announcing that tariff increases were unavoidable but had been minimized through negotiations. He urged financially struggling residents to apply for the Expanded Social Package, which offers reduced or exempted service charges to qualifying applicants.

“Many people claim they can’t afford municipal services, yet the uptake for the Expanded Social Package remains low. We encourage residents in need to apply and benefit from the available provisions,” said Morero.

Infrastructure and Housing Issues Take Priority

Residents raised pressing concerns about housing shortages, poor road conditions, and limited economic opportunities, with stormwater drainage emerging as a particularly critical issue in flood-prone areas.

• Nomsa Mkhize from Ward 50 (Doornkop) criticized the city’s lack of monitoring and evaluation, questioning discrepancies between budget allocations and completed projects.

• Abigail Sibanyoni from Ward 71 (Princess Informal Settlement) expressed frustration over decades of underdevelopment, pointing out that residents are still waiting for RDP housing while new low-cost developments exclude them.

• Communities in Bramfisherville, Tshepisong, and parts of Roodepoort CBD complained about poorly maintained roads and inadequate stormwater drainage, demanding immediate intervention.

Mayor Morero announced plans to distribute 8,000 title deeds to Bramfisherville residents but warned them against selling RDP houses to foreign buyers. Additionally, he confirmed that funding had been allocated for the long-awaited pedestrian bridge in Ward 129 (Dobsonville, Thulani, and Doornkop), which serves multiple communities, including schoolchildren. On allegations of corruption within the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) and rising drug-related crimes, Cllr Tshwaku encouraged residents to report wrongdoing with photographic or video evidence, providing his direct WhatsApp number for submissions.

Commitment to Oversight and Accountability

Speaker of Council Nobuhle Mthembu closed the summit by assuring residents that their grievances would not be ignored.

“As the Legislature, we have a duty to hold the executive accountable and ensure that these issues are addressed,” she said.

With further IDP summits planned, Johannesburg’s leadership faces mounting pressure to turn public engagement into concrete action, ensuring that long-standing service delivery failures are finally addressed.

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Sourced:City Of Joburg