Restore Municipal Operational Fleet and Tools of Trade for Essential Services in Benoni

We, the residents and businesses of Ward 27, call for urgent intervention by the City Manager, the MMCs for Transport & Roads, Energy, Water & Sanitation, Finance, and the relevant HODs to restore and maintain a functional municipal fleet and essential tools of trade for the Water & Sanitation, Energy, and Roads & Stormwater departments in Benoni.

Service delivery is being severely undermined by the lack of operational vehicles and equipment. The Energy Department has only one working cherry picker and no service vehicles, while Water & Sanitation and Roads & Stormwater often operate with just one or two vehicles across large areas. Many vehicles remain stuck in municipal workshops for extended periods due to procurement, parts, and budget delays. Teams also lack basic and specialised tools, forcing costly equipment hire.

These shortages lead to prolonged electricity, water and sanitation outages; sewage spills; delayed responses to burst pipes, electrical faults, potholes and flooding; increased safety risks; and financial losses to the City.

We call for an urgent audit of all fleet vehicles in workshops, fast-tracked repairs and releases, emergency funding or streamlined procurement where needed, and the provision of adequate tools of trade. Each department must maintain a minimum viable operational fleet, including sufficient service vehicles and cherry pickers for Energy services.

Residents deserve reliable basic services, and municipal workers deserve the equipment needed to perform their duties safely and effectively.

We request written feedback to the Ward Councillor by 1 March 2026

Cllr Lornette Joseph    Contact the author of the petition