The Democratic Alliance (DA) can today expose another shocking collapse of service delivery under Ekurhuleni’s ANC-led chaotic coalition. 32 of the City’s 37 public swimming pools are non-operational, yet the City spends over R1.27 million every month on security at its swimming pool facilities. This was revealed in a response to a DA probe to the MEC for Infrastructure Development and COGTA, Jacob Mamabolo, in the Gauteng Legislature.
Even more damning is that the City has spent over R9.1 million on repairs, maintenance and chemicals, for swimming pools that remain closed. The money spent guarding facilities and repairs that residents and their children cannot even enjoy is completely outrageous and exposes the chaos caused by ANC and its proxy parties in Ekurhuleni.
Public swimming pools are not a luxury, they are important for children’s safety. In June 2025, two Grade 5 learners from Dan Radebe Primary School in Duduza were found dead in a pond. In October 2025, seven-year-old Tumelo Maseko drowned while swimming in a trench at an abandoned municipal construction site in Tsakane. These heartbreaking tragedies remind us why safe and accessible public swimming facilities are important.
It cannot be that children in Tembisa, Reiger Park, KwaTKwaThema and many other communities are still forced to play in dumpsites and to swim in sewage or abandoned ponds.
The City’s response to the DA’s probe identifies ten security service providers, but fails to properly account for the expenditure. This raises serious concerns about possible corruption, procurement irregularities and the continued misuse of public funds while service delivery collapses.
The DA demands a full investigation into these contracts and expenditure, with consequences for any officials or contractors implicated in wrongdoing.
We will file an Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) application to access records and contracts related to this swimming pool scandal. The ANC’s Mayor, Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, must drown in shame for his failure to deliver better services for the people of Ekurhuleni.
As Ekurhuleni’s next DA Mayor, I will prioritise getting these facilities working for all, through:
- An urgent audit of all swimming pools and a costed, publicly available reopening plan;
- Transparent procurement, proper maintenance budgets and accountability for every rand spent; and
- Implementing the DA’s Adopt-a-Public-Space programme, partnering with responsible businesses and communities to rehabilitate neglected swimming pools and keep them safe and operational.
Ekurhuleni residents deserve working public facilities, not millions spent guarding locked gates.
This is the result of chaotic ANC-led coalitions in partnership with smaller parties that have allowed corruption, mismanagement and political instability to replace the basics of service delivery.
It is time to stop the chaos and start service delivery. We will get Ekurhuleni working for all.