Financial crisis facing the City of Johannesburg on the spotlight

The financial crisis facing the City of Johannesburg has taken a dramatic turn, following a scathing letter from Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana to Executive Mayor Dada Morero. The letter paints a deeply troubling picture, from what's been described as an unfunded or "fictional" budget, to a staggering R25 billion debt burden, a liquidity crisis, and allegations of unlawful financial commitments. At the centre of it all are concerns that the city may be in breach of the Municipal Finance Management Act, legislation designed to safeguard financial stability and service delivery in municipalities. Political party Rise Mzansi says this confirms what residents have long experienced: a city in decline, plagued by governance failures and financial mismanagement. We spoke to Rise Mzansi's Chief Organiser, Makashule Gana, to unpack these serious allegations and what they mean for Johannesburg residents.