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

A budget is the council's plan for what it may spend, so spending past it was not approved. The R2.38 billion is for the City alone. The R9.12 billion adds the companies the City owns. The 2024-25 unauthorised figures come from the Auditor-General's report and its Annexure 1. The other 2024-25 figures come from Annexure 1. The four-year totals come from the Auditor-General's 2024-25 report.

Consolidated general report on local government audit outcomes MFMA 2024-25 (opens in a new tab)

Auditor-General of South Africa. Published 24 June 2026.

Where to look: Printed page 201 (PDF page 205), paragraph 1: 'The metro incurred unauthorised expenditure of R2,38 billion, mainly due to overspending.'

Saved copy Official record

MFMA 2024-25 Annexure 1: Auditees' audit outcomes; areas qualified; and findings on performance reports, compliance, specific risk areas, and unauthorised, irregular, and fruitless and wasteful expenditure (opens in a new tab)

Auditor-General of South Africa. Published 24 June 2026.

Where to look: PDF page 4, row 200 'City of Johannesburg Metro' under 'Financial audits (audit opinion before consolidation...)', last three columns: unauthorised 2 376,0m, irregular 2 369,4m, fruitless and wasteful 42,1m. PDF page 5, row 278 'City of Johannesburg Metro' under 'Consolidated audits': unauthorised 9 116,3m, irregular 3 689,5m, fruitless and wasteful 943,8m.

Saved copy Official record

Consolidated general report on local government audit outcomes MFMA 2024-25 (opens in a new tab)

Auditor-General of South Africa. Published 24 June 2026.

Where to look: Printed page 199 (PDF page 203), City of Johannesburg dashboard: 'Unauthorised expenditure over administration R6,81bn (4 years)'; 'Fruitless and wasteful expenditure over administration R0,40bn (4 years)'; 'Irregular expenditure over administration R6,55bn (4 years)'. Printed page 76 (PDF page 80): '2021-22 (first year of current administration)'.

Saved copy Official record

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.

Morero elected as Johannesburg mayor again (opens in a new tab)

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)

Saved copy News

Joburg on track for 11th mayor in 10 years — here's what you need to know (opens in a new tab)

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.'

Saved copy News