Checked 27 October 2026
Where the facts in this claim come from
Every fact on the claim page, with the sources we used. We save a copy of each source on the day we read it.
What does the evidence show?
Why it is Verified
Treasury held the payment back because it said the City kept breaking the law on managing council money. Treasury's own statement names Johannesburg and gives this reason. Before that, Treasury had warned the City about irregular spending, pressure on its cash and an unfunded adjustment budget, the Mail & Guardian reported. An adjustment budget is the budget as changed during the year. Unfunded means it plans to spend more than the money the City can expect to get. Mayor Morero said Treasury had confirmed that the City's 2026-27 budget is fully funded, EWN reported. Treasury's list names 69 councils, but the Mail & Guardian says 70.
National Treasury. Published 7 July 2026.
Where to look: Page 1 of 3: paragraph 1 (temporarily withholding the July 2026 equitable share transfers 'following persistent and serious non-compliance with the Municipal Finance Management Act'); paragraph 2 ('Gauteng - City of Johannesburg, Emfuleni, ...'; 69 municipalities in all). Page 3: transfers resume once conditions are met; 'Date: 07 July 2026'
Mail & Guardian. Published 7 July 2026.
Where to look: Paragraph 1 (Treasury 'has withheld part of the City of Johannesburg's July 2026 equitable share allocation'); paragraph 2 (Godongwana: 'part of 70 municipalities'); paragraph 10 (Treasury warned Johannesburg about 'its governance failures, irregular expenditure, liquidity pressures and an unfunded adjustment budget', and gave it seven days in June to explain why the July transfer should not be withheld)
EWN. Published 8 July 2026.
Where to look: Paragraph 1 (Treasury withheld Johannesburg's July equitable share allocation); paragraph 3 (Johannesburg among 69 municipalities); paragraph 4 (Morero said National Treasury has confirmed Johannesburg's 2026/27 budget is fully funded); paragraph 7 (Morero 'expects to receive its R3.6 billion equitable share allocation by mid-July'); paragraph 8 (the money will be used to pay Rand Water and Eskom). Paragraph 1 is the first body paragraph after the photo caption.
Daily Maverick. Published 28 July 2026.
Where to look: Paragraph 6, second sentence: 'The City of Johannesburg, the Treasury indicated, had already received a part of its equitable share to pay Eskom and Rand Water, but would receive the balance on Friday' (Friday 31 July 2026; the article is dated Tuesday 28 July 2026). Paragraph 1 is the first body paragraph after the standfirst.
What did the council do, and when?
Who ran the council
Mayor: Dada Morero (ANC). Council run by ANC, EFF, PA, IFP. From Aug 2024 to present.
The Citizen. Published 16 August 2024.
Where to look: Paragraph 1 ('ANC regional chairperson Dada Morero has been elected as mayor of the City of Johannesburg for the second time'); paragraph 2 (189 votes to 60)
Daily Maverick. Published 28 January 2026.
Where to look: Body paragraph 9: 'The local coalition comprises the ANC, EFF, PA, IFP and several smaller parties.'
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