The South African government has suspended funding allocations to Johannesburg and 68 other municipalities across the country, citing widespread financial mismanagement and poor fiscal accountability.
The National Treasury announced on Tuesday that July’s revenue transfers to the affected municipalities would be withheld as part of efforts to enforce fiscal discipline and ensure public funds are managed responsibly.
Although municipalities generate income through property taxes and service charges, they also depend on revenue shared by the national government.
Johannesburg, South Africa’s economic hub and home to Africa’s wealthiest business district, continues to struggle with deteriorating public infrastructure, including damaged roads, burst water pipes, uncollected waste, and failing basic services.
The funding suspension further deepens the city’s financial challenges, as it already owes billions of rand to electricity and water providers while battling to maintain essential infrastructure. Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero had not issued any official response at the time of reporting.
Earlier in May, the country’s Finance Minister warned that Johannesburg risked losing its July allocation unless the city withdrew a proposed R10.3 billion ($634 million) wage agreement offered to municipal workers following last year’s strike threats.
President Cyril Ramaphosa had previously criticised the condition of Johannesburg, saying the city of about six million residents was no longer in an acceptable state.
Other municipalities affected by the funding freeze include Emfuleni, Nelson Mandela Bay, Buffalo City, Mopani, and Mangaung.
The Treasury stated that the measure, introduced months before November’s local government elections, is not expected to disrupt public service delivery. Funding will only be restored after the affected municipalities meet specific conditions, including reducing unauthorised, irregular, fruitless, and wasteful spending by at least 25 percent and providing evidence of compliance.