Dear Editor
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Johannesburg is outraged by the revelation that R4 billion was allegedly reallocated away from Johannesburg Water in the middle of a water crisis affecting many communities across the City.
Mayor Dada Morero has not denied that these funds were taken from Joburg Water, he has simply admitted they were redirected to “general financial obligations.”
This is an absolute disgrace. In fact, it borders on total recklessness by a Mayor who doesn’t seem to care. While residents across the City are forced to queue at water tankers, the Mayor diverts money that should have been used to fix the root causes of Johannesburg’s collapsing water system and decaying infrastructure under his nose.
The DA finds it totally unacceptable that no reports were tabled before Council – the highest decision-making body in any municipality – about such a massive reallocation of funds. Instead, councillors and residents are left to learn about it through the media and the Presidential Working Group whose terms of reference are still a mystery. This undermines transparency and accountability in the City.
The DA in Johannesburg has, therefore, written to the Executive Mayor to demand:
- A detailed breakdown of where the R4 billion was reallocated;
- An explanation as to why councillors had to find out in the media rather than through a formal Council process; and
- A full report to the Environment and Infrastructure Services Department Section 79 Committee from senior management at Johannesburg Water on how this decision impacts water infrastructure projects.
This R4 billion could and should have been used to address the root causes of the water losses, such as upgrading leaking pipes and repairing cracked reservoirs. Despite the Mayor’s promise in February 2025 to show progress on these repairs, residents have still received no answers.
The DA stands firmly with Johannesburg’s residents. We will fight to ensure that every rand allocated to Johannesburg Water is used to fix the City’s decaying water infrastructure – not siphoned away for vague “general obligations” or used for nefarious reasons while taps run dry.
Regards
Cllr Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku
DA Johannesburg Caucus Leader