Gauteng municipalities owe the provincial government just over R79.8 billion for non-payment of services – Maile

GAUTENG Cooperative Governance MEC Lebogang said on Monday that the provincial government was owed just over R79.8 billion for the non-payment of services.

He said 75% of this debt was owed by household consumers.

Maile revealed this during the release of a report on the State of Municipalities across Gauteng in Sandton, Johannesburg.

He said the Joburg and Tshwane Metros are responsible for the bulk of the unauthorised, irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure.

He further revealed that only the City of Ekurhuleni, Merafong and Midvaal did not incur unauthorised spending.

Maile said unauthorised, fruitless, and wasteful expenditure in the 2021-2022 financial year amounted to over R23 billion.

The outstanding debt that Gauteng municipalities owed Eskom increased from R9.4 to R9.7 billion in the past financial year.  

He said Rand Water was also owed billions of rands. 

“Cogta in the province together with the Treasury continues to engage Eskom for amicable