Emfuleni has been battling years of financial pressure, failing infrastructure and poor service delivery, from sewage and water problems to potholes and irregular refuse collection. But in his State of the Municipality Address last week, Executive Mayor Councillor Hassan Mako declared that the municipality is now moving from what he calls an era of excuses to decisive action. He points to the R7.6-billion water and sanitation intervention, the replacement of collapsed sewer lines, improvements to wastewater treatment works and a new municipal fleet aimed at strengthening service delivery. But Emfuleni still faces significant financial challenges, including billions in unauthorised, irregular and fruitless expenditure, while its current collection rate stands at just
70%. So, how much has actually changed — and can residents finally expect to see the turnaround on the ground?

Emfuleni has been battling years of financial pressure, failing&nbsp;infrastructure and poor service delivery, from sewage and&nbsp;water problems to potholes and irregular refuse collection.&nbsp;But in his State of the Municipality Address last week,&nbsp;Executive Mayor Councillor Hassan Mako declared that the&nbsp;municipality is now moving from what he calls an era of&nbsp;excuses to decisive action.&nbsp;He points to the R7.6-billion water and sanitation intervention,&nbsp;the replacement of collapsed sewer lines, improvements to&nbsp;wastewater treatment works and a new municipal fleet aimed&nbsp;at strengthening service delivery.&nbsp;But Emfuleni still faces significant financial challenges,&nbsp;including billions in unauthorised, irregular and fruitless&nbsp;expenditure, while its current collection rate stands at just 70%.&nbsp;So, how much has actually changed &mdash; and can residents&nbsp;finally expect to see the turnaround on the ground?

METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope