The City of Johannesburg's 2026/2027 budget of R97.1 billion has sparked concern among experts due to its heavy reliance on salaries, high debt levels, and minimal infrastructure investment.Analysts warn that the metro is in a financial death spiral, with residents bearing the cost through substantial tariff hikes.

Civil society leader Julia Fish highlights bloated salaries among municipal executives and boards, noting that nearly all top managers earn above national government limits, with some receiving sharp annual increases.

She recommends investing in affordable bulk infrastructure, improving energy and water efficiency, reducing system costs, and leveraging city-owned properties to raise capital.

University academics Prof Daniel Meyer and Prof Alex van den Heever stress the need for higher capital allocation, linking wage increases to measurable performance, implementing zero-based budgeting, and rationalising municipal entities.They also criticise inflated revenue projections, governance failures, and politically motivated appointments that hinder service delivery.

Without structural reforms—such as consolidating entities, reducing executive layers, improving procurement transparency, and appointing credible city management—the city's financial instability is likely to worsen, threatening basic services like water, electricity, and road maintenance.The consensus is that urgent, disciplined action is required to restore fiscal sustainability and accountability in Johannesburg.