Johannesburg Needs R200 Billion to Avoid Infrastructure Collapse, Mayor Warns

The City of Johannesburg is teetering on the edge of collapse unless it can secure a staggering R200 billion to repair its crumbling infrastructure. That’s the stark warning delivered by Executive Mayor Dada Morero during his State of the City Address (SOCA) on Wednesday, 7 May.

Calling the state of the city a “crisis,” Morero laid out a bold, high-impact recovery plan—starting with the formation of a specialised task team he referred to as the “bomb squad.” This team, led by ANC Veterans’ League leader Snuki Zikalala, has been tasked with tackling a litany of urban issues that have plagued South Africa’s economic hub for years.

“We need extreme actions to resolve our challenges,” said Morero. “This bomb squad will remove the constraints that impact the City’s ability to create the Joburg we want to see.”

Potholes, Power Cuts, and a Water Crisis

The team’s mandate includes fixing potholes, stopping illegal electricity connections, curbing land invasions and illegal mining, managing rampant dumping, and addressing the presence of undocumented migrants.

But while the task team’s formation is seen as a step in the right direction, the financial outlook remains grim. Morero admitted the city is living “hand-to-mouth,” just barely meeting its existing financial obligations—let alone having enough funds to address the backlog in maintenance.

“We can service our loans, but we can’t raise enough revenue to tackle the infrastructure backlog with our own money,” he explained.

That backlog is massive. Road repairs alone require R16 billion, as potholes and degraded streets worsen across the city. Johannesburg’s electricity network, plagued by theft, vandalism, and ageing infrastructure, needs an estimated R170 billion to modernise. Water infrastructure is in equally dire straits, with Johannesburg Water CEO Ntshavheni Mukwevho citing a R27 billion shortfall.

In some areas, more than 60% of the water infrastructure has outlived its intended lifespan, leading to constant pipe bursts and widespread service disruptions.

A City in Crisis

The urgency was further highlighted by the Democratic Alliance (DA), which tabled a motion of no confidence against Morero and council speaker Nobuhle Mthembu just hours before the address. The DA accused the current administration of letting Johannesburg fall into a “state of total collapse.”

Even if the full R200 billion is secured, experts warn that money alone won’t solve the problem. Professor Mark Swilling from Stellenbosch University said meaningful change will require rooting out corruption, improving project oversight, and ensuring better management.

“Without addressing systemic issues like corruption and mismanagement, infrastructure spending won’t lead to sustainable change,” Swilling cautioned.

What Comes Next?

Mayor Morero said the city aims to raise R100 billion over the next five years and is actively pursuing partnerships with private investors to make up the shortfall.

“We’re exploring ways to raise funds off the balance sheet to bridge the gap,” he told SABC in a follow-up interview.

Still, the road ahead is uncertain. While the appointment of the “bomb squad” signals a shift towards urgent action, Johannesburg’s ability to pull itself out of this infrastructure abyss will depend heavily on political will, public accountability, and consistent investment—both financial and structural.

{Source: BusinessTech}

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