Johannesburg councillors approve salary increases as water crisis grips the city

Johannesburg councillors have approved salary increases for top political office bearers, even as the city struggles with water outages, delayed projects and mounting service delivery failures.

The vote sets new upper salary limits for the mayor, deputy mayor, speaker, members of the mayoral committee (MMCs) and oversight committee chairpersons.

The increases come at a time when residents across Johannesburg are dealing with water outages, power interruptions and deteriorating infrastructure.

New salary limits for city leaders

Under the approved changes, Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero will earn R1.65 million a year, an increase of R64,987 from his previous package.

Deputy Mayor Kenny Kunene’s successor, Luis Mtsweni, will receive R1.332 million annually, an increase of R126,746.

The speaker’s salary rises to R1.332 million, up by R52,480.

MMCs will also receive increases of close to R50,000, while oversight committee chairpersons will earn about R1 million a year, an increase of R47,990.

The decision has drawn criticism from opposition parties, who say the increases come at the wrong time for a city facing deep service delivery problems.

DA rejects salary increases

Democratic Alliance Johannesburg caucus leader Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku said the party rejected the increases when the matter came before the council.

“It’s an absolute disgrace,” she said.

Kayser-Echeozonjoku said public representatives should not be receiving salary increases while residents face ongoing water and power outages.

“We don’t believe that as public representatives we should be getting an increase while we are having to deal with outages, power outages, water outages, and we currently have a water crisis in the city.”

She also criticised the creation of a deputy mayor position, which the DA previously opposed.

Calls to prioritise infrastructure spending

Kayser-Echeozonjoku said the funds used for salary increases should instead be directed to repairing infrastructure across the city.

She pointed to ongoing problems, including burst water pipes, road collapses and sinkholes.

“That money should be going to fixing the infrastructure,” she said.

According to Kayser-Echeozonjoku, infrastructure maintenance has been neglected for decades, contributing to the city’s current service delivery challenges.

Legal action over a separate payment agreement

The DA has also launched legal action against the City of Johannesburg over what it calls a politically facilitated agreement worth R10 billion.

Kayser-Echeozonjoku said the agreement was included in the city’s adjustment budget, which the DA requested be withdrawn for reworking after councillors received it only hours before a council meeting.

She said the party had served the city with legal papers to challenge the agreement and push for funds to be redirected to service delivery.

“That is why yesterday we served the city with legal papers,” she said.

Instability blamed for council decisions

Kayser-Echeozonjoku also blamed political instability in Johannesburg for decisions like the salary increases.

She said smaller parties often hold significant influence in coalition politics, which can affect council decisions and governance.

She warns that residents will ultimately have the opportunity to respond through the ballot box when elections are held.

For more information, listen to Kayser-Echeozonjoku using the audio player below: