The City of Johannesburg has pushed the release of records detailing R4.07bn in alleged financial misconduct beyond the 4 November elections. This delay comes after an admitted nine-day administrative delay and an extension calculated in ‘court days’. The records in question were sought through a Promotion of Access to Information Act (Paia) application submitted on 3 August. The application seeks information on 13 serious financial misconduct matters involving R4.07-billion, referred to the City’s independent Disciplinary Board during a closed council meeting on 22 July.
A separate R45.16bn case involving unauthorised, irregular, fruitless and wasteful (UIFW) expenditure accumulated over five years has also raised questions about accountability. The City disclosed the overall R45.16-billion figure in an open council response on 26 August. However, the identities and disciplinary outcomes of 68 officials recommended for action following Group Forensic and Investigation Services (GFIS) investigations into a historical portion of that expenditure remain undisclosed.
The R4.07-billion matter was dealt with behind closed doors and the underlying reports remain secret. In contrast, the overall figure for the R45.16-billion matter is already public, but the details of who was recommended for disciplinary action, what allegations they faced, and what ultimately happened to the cases against them are not. The City’s Deputy Director: Public Information, Thembisa Zwane, confirmed that the Paia application was received on 3 August but was not referred for processing until 12 August due to an “administrative oversight”.
The City subsequently invoked section 26(1)(c) of Paia to extend the period for dealing with the application. The extension was calculated in ‘court days’, resulting in a new deadline of 6 November 2026, two days after the municipal elections. Daily Maverick challenged this extension, questioning the legal basis for calculating the Paia extension in ‘court days’ and the calculation showing how the City arrived at 6 November.
The City’s notice did not advise the requester of the right to challenge the extension and the procedure and period for doing so, as required by section 26(3)(c) of Paia. Daily Maverick also asked whether the City would undertake to determine the application and release all records to which access was granted before voters went to the polls. However, City Manager Floyd Brink and Zwane did not respond to these queries by the given deadline of 28 September.
The delayed release of the R4.07-billion records has raised concerns about accountability and transparency in the City of Johannesburg. The records sought include the complete unredacted closed-door agenda item, executive report and official memorandum, as well as the council resolution and minutes recording the decision. Daily Maverick’s application also sought all forensic audit reports, internal investigation summaries, attachments and legal opinions considered in relation to the R4.07-billion referral.
The City of Johannesburg’s delay in releasing the R4.07-billion misconduct files has sparked concerns about the impact on the municipal elections and the public’s right to information. The release of the records is now expected on 6 November, two days after the elections. The City’s handling of the Paia application and the delay in releasing the records have raised questions about its commitment to transparency and accountability.
Key points
- The City of Johannesburg has delayed the release of R4.07bn misconduct files until after the 4 November municipal elections.
- The delay comes after an admitted nine-day administrative delay and an extension calculated in ‘court days’.
- A separate R45.16bn case involving unauthorised, irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure has also raised questions about accountability.
