Gauteng owes the City of Johannesburg R259 million in outstanding rates and newly elected mayor, Herman Mahaba has given it 30 days to pay up.
“The departments of Infrastructure and Development, Human Settlements and Health have not paid rates and taxes for a long time even though they budget for it,” Mashaba said.
He made this statement on 19 August, saying he will write to Gauteng Premier, David Makhura giving the provincial government 30 days to either pay the money or enter into a repayment agreement with the City, adding that it is what any other defaulting resident would be expected to do. If neither is done, Mashaba said services to the defaulting departments will be cut.
The mayor said the debt amounts to hundreds of millions of rand worth of lost opportunities to improve service delivery, especially those in the poorest communities.
“It is becoming clearer by the day that the previous administration in this City had its priorities wrong. I have a clear message to give to Premier Makhuru and his government: From today, you will not receive free lunches in the City of Joburg any longer. Pay up or face the consequences,” he said.
“Far too many of our residents have been suffering through a lack, if any, of quality basic services and it is unacceptable for the provincial government to expect special favours. This ends today,” he said.
Since taking office, Mashaba has halted the R70 million cycle-lane project and given the City 90 days to compile a transparent housing list. He has also started handing out 20 000 title deeds processed by the Housing Department.
