City of Joburg denies mayor diverted R4 billion to prevent worker protests ahead of G20 Summit

Alpha Ramushwana

Alpha Ramushwana

17 November 2025 | 8:20

While the city has confirmed it met with the union, it insists that no funds were redirected from state coffers to prevent protests that could disrupt this week's G20 Leaders' Summit. 

City of Joburg denies mayor diverted R4 billion to prevent worker protests ahead of G20 Summit

Workers plant flowers next to a G20 logo outside the NASREC Expo Centre in Johannesburg on November 4, 2025 where the upcoming G20 summit will be hosted. Picture: Wikus de Wet/AFP

The City of Johannesburg has denied reports claiming that Mayor Dada Morero diverted R4 billion from the city's capital expenditure budget to prevent worker protests ahead of the G20 Summit. 

It is understood that the South African Municipal Workers' Union (SAMWU) has been in discussions with the metro regarding pay adjustments. 

While the city has confirmed it met with the union, it insists that no funds were redirected from state coffers to prevent protests that could disrupt this week's G20 Leaders' Summit. 

City spokesperson Khathu Mulaudzi said it would be unethical for the city to divert capital funds. 

"No funds have been moved, no capital budgets touched and no such discussion ever took place. The agreement with SAMWU is part of a long-standing process to fix salary disparities dating back to 2016 and not the G20."

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