The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng has renewed its push for national intervention in the City of Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni municipalities, citing a collapse in service delivery driven by severe financial mismanagement.

Gauteng DA leader Solly Msimanga has formally requested that President Cyril Ramaphosa place the City of Johannesburg under financial administration.

Msimanga highlighted that despite previous warnings and a proposed "rescue plan" sent to the President, the situation in Johannesburg has continued to deteriorate.

The DA’s call follows a recent letter by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana to Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero, which warned of possible violations of the Municipal Finance Management Act.

Godongwana’s letter highlighted unfunded budgets and illegal financial practices and a failure to maintain infrastructure, leading to a decline in services.

The City of Johannesburg is reportedly facing a severe financial crisis, with recent reports indicating it is technically bankrupt, owing creditors roughly R25.2-billion while holding only R3.9-billion in cash.

While a Presidential working group was mentioned previously to fix infrastructure issues ahead of the G20 summit, the DA argues that the intervention has failed to yield results, with water, electricity, and road services collapsing.

The DA has alleged that R4-billion was diverted from Johannesburg Water to cover operating costs and salaries, contributing to a widespread water crisis.

Msimanga stated that placing the City of Johannesburg under administration was essential to conduct a proper forensic assessment, identify financial gaps, and redirect funds toward critical service delivery.

"If this is not done immediately, the residents in the City of Johannesburg will continue to experience a decline in service delivery in the province," Msimanga said.

EKURHULENI

Simultaneously, the DA in Gauteng has raised alarm over the state of Ekurhuleni, alleging that the metro is in a full-blown crisis with billions owed to service providers.

DA Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate Khathutshelo Rasilingwane laid a complaint with Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka, calling for an urgent investigation into corruption allegations in the City of Ekurhuleni.

In its submission, the party set out allegations that officials within the City of Ekurhuleni may have influenced City Council votes in exchange for directing funding to the political parties of certain councillors.

The DA believes there are clear grounds for an investigation within the Public Protector’s jurisdiction, including possible contraventions of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act and the Political Party Funding Act.

Rasilingwane noted that the complaint further centres on allegations that the city manager Kagiso Lerutla abused his position as group chief financial officer to direct millions of rands in public funds to African National Congress-aligned proxy parties as a so-called “protection fee” in exchange for political favours.

“… if proven true, this would represent a deliberate and coordinated looting of public resources at the highest levels of the municipality,” she said.