Gauteng MEC for Finance Lebogang Maile. Picture: X / @LebogangMaile Councillors and municipal officials across Gauteng owe their own municipalities a combined R165.7 million in unpaid accounts. On Sunday, MEC for Finance and Economic Development, Lebogang Maile, outlined the Gauteng State of Municipal Finances.
The briefing presented a consolidated analysis of municipal revenue and expenditure for the first six months of the 2025/26 financial year. As of 31 December 2025, the City of Johannesburg recorded the highest outstanding amount, at R74.8. This was followed by the City of Tshwane at R36.2 million and the City of Ekurhuleni at R22.9 million.
“These amounts are primarily attributable to municipal officials. Formal correspondence has been issued to municipalities to enforce recovery measures and ensure compliance by councillors and officials,” said Maile. “In total, councillors in various municipalities in Gauteng owe municipalities an aggregated amount of R5.5 million.
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“It must be noted that councillors who owe their respective municipalities, except for those in the City of Ekurhuleni, each have outstanding balances on their accounts, ranging from R100 000 and above. “In addition, officials owe their respective municipalities a total of R160.2 million, as at 31 December 2025. In this regard, the City of Johannesburg is leading with R72 million owed by officials. This is followed by the City of Tshwane and City of Ekurhuleni with a debt of over R10 million each.” Maile revealed that as of 31 December 2025, Gauteng municipalities reported an aggregate debtor’s balance of R165.7 billion.
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