City’s revenue blitz targets inner city buildings with R200 million in arrears

The City of Johannesburg has ramped up its financial sustainability drive, with the latest enforcement operation targeting buildings in Berea and surrounding areas that collectively owe the municipality a staggering R200 million. The operation, led by the Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Cllr Dada Morero, and City Manager Dr Floyd Brink, saw officials zero in on 12 high-value accounts in the inner city this week – representing a combined overdue book value of R17.7 million – as part of a much broader citywide crackdown on outstanding debt and illegal connections.

“This is a financial sustainability drive. Today's operation in Berea and the surrounding areas is targeting buildings that owe the city a combined total of R200 million," said Dr Brink.

“We are imposing zero tolerance throughout the city on all non-compliant buildings. We must maintain the city as a going concern. That means every revenue stream must be protected – not just water and electricity, but also outdoor advertising and any other stream of income."

Delivering the State of the City Address recently, Mayor Morero said the interventions of the city administration are beginning to bear fruit towards inner city rejuvenation. This impact is a result of “our by-law enforcement priority, supported by the Mayoral High-Impact Programme and the work of the Bomb Squad and City administration".

The latest enforcement actions saw teams move through Bertrams, Doornfontein, Jeppestown, Judith's Paarl, New Doornfontein, and Troyeville. At 203 Jules Street in Jeppestown, officials discovered an illegal connector on a meter tied to arrears of R986,000 – resulting in an immediate Level 3 disconnection.

Other properties received Level 2 disconnections, with arrears ranging from R342,000 to a striking R6.4 million on a single account at 44 Sivewright Avenue in New Doornfontein. One property on Moseley Street in Doornfontein, which had its supply off since 2024, was escalated to a Level 3 disconnection.

Only one address – 12 Lamoen Street in Jeppestown – was spared immediate action due to an active query on the account, which officials will now review.

Dr Brink emphasised that the operation is not limited to electricity and water debt. The city is scrutinising all municipal income streams, including outdoor advertising fees, in a comprehensive push to secure Johannesburg's financial future.

“Every non-compliant building, every unpaid account, every illegal connection undermines our ability to deliver services to law-abiding residents," Brink added. “That ends now."

Residents and business owners in arrears are urged to approach the city to make payment arrangements before enforcement teams arrive at their properties. The City has warned that meter tampering and illegal connections carry severe consequences, including Level 3 disconnection and potential prosecution. The latest blitz forms part of an ongoing, high-level campaign led by the City Manager's office to stabilise municipal finances, protect revenue, and ensure fairness across all billing categories.

27/05/2026

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