Revealed: Joburg Executives Pocket Nearly R5 Million as Services Falter

Sky-High Salaries Amid Failing Services

As Johannesburg residents struggle with rising bills and deteriorating services, the city’s top managers are raking in eye-watering salariesup to R4.98 million annually. Analysis of the city’s four-year budget data reveals that executive pay continues to climb, even as core services such as electricity, water, and waste collection falter.

The most dramatic jumps were seen in municipal entities: JOSHCO CEO +86%, Metrobus +75%, JRA +55%, City Power +61%, and the JDA +48%. Across senior management, pay has risen by an average of 26% since 2022, far exceeding both inflation and the 3.3% public-sector guideline.

For context, President Cyril Ramaphosa earns R4.2 million, and the Department of Cooperative Governance sets an upper limit of R4.25 million for municipal managers. Yet several Joburg executives surpass these benchmarks.

Sourced: Daily Maverick

Municipal Revenue Gap Worsens the Crisis

While executives enjoy rising pay packets, the city struggles to collect just 83% of billed revenue, far below the 94.7% target. For a metro of this size, this translates to a multi-billion-rand shortfall, directly affecting service delivery.

Julia Fish of the Johannesburg Civic Alliance criticised the skewed system:

“The public sector is getting bonuses and increases regardless of the municipality’s financial stability. Residents are paying for double-digit tariff increases while services decline. Austerity should reflect what the city can afford, not what it can get away with.”

She also highlighted structural inefficiencies: Johannesburg operates 13 municipal entities, each with its own CEO and board, creating duplication and bloated management.

Strange Patterns and Missing Figures

Beyond the entities, senior managers reporting directly to the city manager show erratic pay movements. Some portfolios saw sharp increases (Health +30.6%, Economic Development +25.6%), while others experienced steep declines (Private Office of the Mayor -42.7%, Public Safety HQ -20.4%). Several positions were missing or duplicated, reflecting unclear organizational oversight.

Compared with other metros like Cape Town (1 entity) or Tshwane (2), Johannesburg’s executive count and pay levels are far higher, compounding scrutiny over fiscal prudence.

City Defends Salaries

City spokesperson Nthatishi Modingoane defended the pay hikes, saying all practices “are in line with government policies, legislative frameworks, and council-approved policies.”

He explained that salaries follow nationally regulated processes, with adjustments considering skills scarcity, internal equity, and post criticality. Non-section 54A/56 employees can negotiate up to 20% above advertised minimums if justified.

Calls for Reform

DA councillor Christopher Santana warned that the fragmented structure is unsustainable:

“The duplication of functions across 13 entities has ballooned personnel costs. National Treasury has repeatedly flagged this, yet little has changed. A comprehensive review is needed to ensure compensation is sustainable and tied to actual service delivery.”

Residents and watchdogs alike are questioning why top executives enjoy near-R5 million paychecks while Johannesburg grapples with blackouts, water cuts, and uncollected waste.

Salary Trends at a Glance

With Johannesburg residents feeling the pinch, the question remains: can a city afford nearly R5 million salaries for executives while basic services collapse? Critics argue urgent reform, transparency, and alignment of pay with performance are long overdue.

Full List

{Source: Daily Maverick}

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