The City of Johannesburg has dismissed allegations that Mayor Dada Morero diverted R4 billion from the capital expenditure budget to prevent a potential workers’ strike ahead of the G20 Leaders’ Summit, which kicks off this week at the NASREC Expo Centre.
The claims surfaced amid ongoing salary discussions between the metro and the South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU), with suggestions that the city allegedly redirected funds to ensure labour peace during the high-profile international gathering.
However, the city has firmly rejected the accusations.
City spokesperson Khathu Mulaudzi described the reports as both false and unethical, insisting no capital budgets have been altered.
“No funds have been moved, no capital budgets touched and no such discussion ever took place,” Mulaudzi said.
“The agreement with SAMWU is part of a long-standing process to fix salary disparities dating back to 2016 — not the G20.”
The city confirmed it met with SAMWU as part of an ongoing engagement around wage adjustments and legacy pay disputes, but said the timing was coincidental and not influenced by the coming global event.
Municipal workers had previously threatened disruptive action over unresolved salary concerns — a scenario that could have caused major embarrassment as Johannesburg hosts world leaders and global media.
G20 Summit Heightens Pressure
With the G20 Summit now underway, Johannesburg has already implemented multiple road closures, with officials urging motorists to exercise patience as heads of state, security convoys, and delegates move across key routes.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has said the summit provides an opportunity to present “an economy on the rise”, despite power supply constraints and labour unrest in several sectors.
The city has intensified efforts to beautify and secure key precincts, including visible clean-up and landscaping operations — but insists these are routine and not linked to alleged budget shifts.
SAMWU Yet to Comment
SAMWU has not yet publicly responded to the city’s denial, though union officials are still expected to push for wage parity and long-outstanding salary adjustments.