Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero has assured Parliament that the City of Johannesburg’s R97 billion budget for the 2026 financial year has received approval from National Treasury.
Speaking before Parliament’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) on Tuesday, Morero rejected claims from some political parties that the budget lacks funding. He maintained that the city would not have presented the budget to council without Treasury’s assessment and approval.
Morero, accompanied by senior city officials, spent the day answering questions from MPs as the municipality sought to demonstrate progress in improving governance and financial management within South Africa’s economic hub.
National Treasury Approval For Johannesburg Budget
The mayor said oversight of municipal finances falls within the responsibilities of the finance minister and stressed that issues previously raised by Treasury had been addressed.
Morero expressed confidence that Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s warning about the possible withholding of the municipality’s equitable share allocation in June would not materialise.
[Ramaphosa Pledges Harsher Penalties For Employers Hiring Undocumented Foreign Nationals]
“So, we would not have tabled this budget unless National Treasury had confirmed the assessment. The assessment was done, and we can now confirm.”
He said the city remains committed to maintaining compliance with financial requirements and ensuring that its budget plans are sustainable.
City Explains R10 Billion Wage Agreement To Treasury
Morero also addressed concerns surrounding the municipality’s R10 billion wage agreement, saying discussions with Treasury had clarified the matter and that implementation would depend on affordability.
“There is no way that the city will not pay, or the city will choose not to honour that agreement. The city will honour it at its own pace and on the basis of availability of budget.”
The mayor reiterated that the city intends to meet its obligations while balancing expenditure against available resources.
Morero Rejects Claims Of Excessive Executive Salaries
Addressing reports about executive remuneration at the municipality, Morero dismissed suggestions that senior officials were receiving excessively high salaries.
He argued that claims regarding executive pay were inaccurate and stated that city manager Floyd Brink was earning less than what the position would ordinarily command.
The comments formed part of the city’s broader effort to reassure lawmakers that measures are being implemented to improve Johannesburg’s financial position and operational performance.
