The Democratic Alliance (DA) will formally approach the Information Regulator to compel the City of Johannesburg to disclose its so-called “sweeping policy” after months of silence and a refusal to provide the requested information through a PAIA application.
In terms of the Act, the Information Regulator is empowered to issue an enforcement notice, and failure to comply with such a notice exposes the relevant information officer to criminal liability, including the possibility of a fine or imprisonment.
Ultimately, Joburg officials who deliberately block this information could face prison time.
This escalation follows our probe into Joburg Water’s finances, launched after water infrastructure maintenance ground to a halt last year, leaving taps dry across large parts of the city. Through this process, we uncovered that the City of Johannesburg has been taking necessary funds paid to Joburg Water and redirecting them for other purposes, including bailing out City Power via its sweeping policy.
Under this arrangement, all funds paid to Joburg Water are taken at the close of business each day, with a promise that these funds will be returned. However, the DA’s PAIA process has effectively falsified this claim, raising serious concerns about whether these funds are ever fully repaid.
As part of the DA’s investigation, we requested a full copy of the City’s sweeping policy, as well as the council resolution approving it. Despite repeated follow-ups, and after months of silence, the City has failed to provide this information, necessitating our approach to the Information Regulator to source the records, if they indeed exist.
It is imperative for Johannesburg ratepayers to know exactly where their money is being spent, particularly when there are strong indications that funds are being funnelled away from critical infrastructure maintenance. This is especially concerning given that the City spends approximately R165 million annually on water tankers, rather than directing funds towards sustainable water infrastructure repairs.
The City of Johannesburg will not be allowed to hide from transparency or accountability. The DA reiterates our position that funds allocated for critical infrastructure maintenance must be properly ring-fenced. This can be achieved through a council resolution, but the ANC-led coalition has consistently shown that it lacks the political will to do so.
The DA believes in Johannesburg, will fund its infrastructure, and will ensure complete transparency and accountability for all residents.