Joburg Council Writes Off R144m in Irregular Spending, But Who’s Keeping Score?

A hard look at how millions went missing under the City of Johannesburg’s watch, and why residents are demanding more than just “write-offs.”

It’s the kind of news that makes everyday Joburgers roll their eyes and mutter, “Of course they did.” The City of Johannesburg has officially written off over R144 million in irregular, fruitless, and wasteful expenditure, money gone with little to no hope of recovery. And while city officials insist procedures were followed, many residents are wondering if anyone is ever truly held accountable.

Where Did the Money Go?

According to a report tabled before council, R143.8 million was flagged as irregular expenditure, while a further R207,765 in fruitless and wasteful expenditure was also certified as unrecoverable. The timeframes stretch as far back as the 2012/13 financial year, up to 2022/23.

The Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC) received 15 investigative reports related to these losses. After reviewing the cases, the committee agreed to write off nearly every cent, saying that the money was not recoverable but had to be “regularised” under the Municipal Finance Management Act.

To their credit, the committee has promised ongoing oversight and the creation of a register to monitor such losses, including the implementation of “corrective actions” and tracking which service providers were involved. But for many observers, that promise rings hollow.

A Pattern, Not an Exception

If you’ve been paying attention to Joburg’s books over the years, this isn’t new. In fact, it feels eerily familiar.

Residents still remember the R431 million City Power tender saga and the wasteful expenditure of R25 million on incomplete housing projects. When financial mismanagement spans across departments and years without visible accountability, it creates a dangerous perception: that wasteful spending is just part of how the city operates.

Social media echoed that frustration. On X (formerly Twitter), one user commented, “Writing off R144 million like it’s petty cash? We get load shedding and dry taps while they get away with financial crime.” Another posted, “This isn’t governance, it’s gangsterism in suits.”

So Who Pays the Price?

The short answer? The residents.

Every cent written off could have been used to fix potholes, improve safety, or address Johannesburg’s ongoing water and electricity woes. While councillors have urged acting City Manager Kiba Kekana to report the decision to the National Treasury within seven working days, there’s little clarity on whether anyone will face disciplinary action or jail time.

In a city already battling trust deficits in local government, the optics of a “write-off” without consequence are damning.

A Fresh Chance for Transparency or Just More Paperwork?

MPAC says it will keep a register of these losses and track how departments implement suggested reforms. It’s a start. But critics argue that it isn’t enough. Transparency must be paired with real accountability: names, consequences, and reform.

Unless Johannesburg’s leaders start treating taxpayer money with the seriousness it deserves, they’ll continue to lose more than just money, they’ll lose the trust of the people.

{Source: IOL}

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