Simon Majadibodu|Published
The City of Ekurhuleni is spending more than R1.27 million a month on security at public swimming pool facilities, 32 of which are non-operational, according to a written response by Gauteng Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC Jacob Mamabolo.
The response, officially provided by City of Ekurhuleni head Kagiso Lerutla, revealed that only five of the metro’s 37 public swimming pools are operational.
Mamabolo was responding to questions from DA Gauteng MPL and Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate Khathutshelo Rasilingwane.
She asked how much the city had spent on security services at non-operational swimming pools during each of the past three financial years, including security services provided by appointed contractors.
Ten security providers appointed
According to Mamabolo, about 10 security service providers have been appointed, and their contracts remain active.
The providers include GS Secure (Pty) Ltd, Sos Protecsure National Division CC, Cpi Masingita Joint Venture, TSS Security Service Gauteng, Motane Investment, Ezingeni Security and Cleaning (Pty) Ltd, Bravospan 90 CC Security, SSG Security Solutions (Pty) Ltd, Carewell Holdings 5 (Pty) Ltd and Nist Investment CC.
The contracts were due to expire on June 30, but were extended by three months, until September 30.
Each security guard costs an estimated R18,474.51 a month.
With most pools deploying one day-shift guard and one night-shift guard, the typical monthly security cost per facility is R36,949.02.
R9.1m spent on repairs and maintenance
Rasilingwane said the city had also spent more than 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 the ANC and its proxy parties in Ekurhuleni,” she said.
The written response also referred to the city’s operational expenditure on the 32 non-operational pools over the past three financial years, including electricity, water and sanitation, cleaning and maintenance, grass cutting and landscaping, and insurance.
Rasilingwane argued that the response identified 10 security service providers but failed to account adequately for the expenditure.
“This raises serious concerns about possible corruption, procurement irregularities and the continued misuse of public funds while service delivery collapses,” she said.
The DA has called for a full investigation into the contracts and expenditure, with consequences for any officials or contractors found to have engaged in wrongdoing.
Rasilingwane said the party would submit an application under the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) to obtain records and contracts relating to the swimming pool expenditure.
Concerns over children's safety
Rasilingwane said public swimming pools were not a luxury but an important resource for children's safety and recreation.
She linked the lack of accessible swimming facilities to the dangers children face in their communities.
In June 2025, two Grade 5 learners from Dan Radebe Primary School in Duduza were found dead in a pond, she said.
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,” she said.
“It cannot be that children in Tembisa, Reiger Park, Kwa-Thema and many other communities are still forced to play in dumpsites and to swim in sewage or abandoned ponds.”
Rasilingwane also criticised the Ekurhuleni mayor over the state of municipal services.
“The ANC’s mayor, Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, must drown in shame for his failure to deliver better services for the people of Ekurhuleni,” she said.
simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za
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