JOHANNESBURG - The City of Johannesburg is disconnecting government buildings owing more than R14 billion in combined utility arrears.
The large-scale service disconnection drive was launched on Friday ahead of the 31 March 2026 financial year-end as the City moves to enforce payment of outstanding municipal debt.
This follows a critical roundtable discussion convened to address the escalating debt owed to municipalities by government departments and public entities, a matter of significant concern for local government.#JoburgDebtDrive#JoburgFinance ^GZ pic.twitter.com/Oj4f3QMZa5
— City of Joburg (@CityofJoburgZA) March 27, 2026
Mayor Dada Morero said the disconnections follow continued efforts by the City to resolve the government debt issue through established intergovernmental channels.
"We have been engaging with the province quite extensively and at this stage they should have paid the City."
He said the matter was raised in the executive council with Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi who also made it clear that government departments should settle the debt in full as it was affecting revenue for municipalities."
"Our officials have been interacting but nothing is coming out. We need this money as municipalities so that we continue to invest the revenue where it should be invested."