Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis this week tabled a proposed R40-billion, three-year infrastructure budget for the city.

“To give you some perspective on the progress we have made – in the 2021/22 budget, when all of us were elected, the city’s capital budget was R6.1-billion,” said Hill-Lewis.

“Today, four years on, we are tabling a capital budget of more than R13-billion [for the financial year]. We have more than doubled our capital investment.”

Infrastructure investment highlights over the three-year budget framework include R16.7-billion spend on water and sanitation projects; R6-billion allocated towards electrical grid upgrades and maintenance as Cape Town prepares for a decentralised energy future with reduced Eskom reliance; a R3.7-billion investment in road maintenance, pothole repairs, and upgrades to roads and stormwater; and R653-million allocated for traffic congestion relief projects.

Energy projects include a R1.8-billion spend on further investments in energy-security service delivery, which includes R659-million for renewable-energy systems, R589-million to upgrade the Steenbras hydroelectric dam to offer expanded protection against loadshedding, a further R124-million for waste-to-energy projects, and R165-million for LED street-lighting installations.

Water and sanitation projects include R2-billion spend on sewer and water pipe replacements.

“We are also spending R1.2-billion over the three-year period to purchase new refuse removal vehicles in order to maintain a quality service to residents,” noted Hill-Lewis.

The MyCiTi Cape Flats public transport expansion programme receives a further R3.3-billion, and R3.3-billion will flow towards informal settlement upgrading and the rollout of State-subsidised housing.

Sports facilities will be upgraded to the tune of R227-million, while R300-million has been allocated to the Strandfontein Pavilion redevelopment project.

The proposed safety and security budget reaches a record of R6.8-billion for 2026/27 financial year.

Hill-Lewis said Cape Town had grown its policing personnel by more than 50% over the last four financial years, adding 1 340 officers.

“The reality is that the South African Police Service is unable to adequately protect our communities against violent criminals, and so we have had to step into the gap with our own resources and our own officers.”

The budget is open for public comment until April 30.