Basic municipal services are important for the poor. But 175 out of 257 municipalities are in distress.

To combat this Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has announced that R28.9 billion will be allocated to the government equitable share and R 1.8 billion in direct conditional grants. He affirms that municipalities have a responsibility to their people.

“We urge our people and government departments to pay their municipal bills. Municipalities are also required to improve their service delivery mechanisms, and to ensure that billing systems are fair and efficient”.

Minister Gondongwana said that the State is ready to hold municipalities accountable for their failures.

This comes as the City of Tshwane has been cutting off government buildings claiming that they are in arrears.