Govt may step up its role to address governance challenges in Joburg

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana says the national government is considering stepping up its involvement to address governance challenges in the City of Johannesburg.

Addressing a post-budget media briefing in Cape Town, Godongwana says national authorities may need a formal or legal mechanism to engage more closely with the city’s management.

Last year, President Cyril Ramaphosa assembled a Presidential Johannesburg Working Group in an effort to resolve the city’s failures.

Godongwana says discussions are underway through intergovernmental channels.

“But surely I can tell you now, my view is that national government has got to find a way of getting closer to the Johannesburg situation. The problem in an environment like that, you need some legal instrument if you are going to go there as a friend and so on. It may not be a good idea,” says Godongwana.

Related video| Finance Minister delivers 2026 Budget Speech:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_90yrW5108