Transparency Is a Constitutional Duty, Not a Political Choice

Hidden Documents, Hidden Truths: JCA Challenges City's Secrecy

Transparency is a constitutional duty, not a political choice. The Joburg Crisis Alliance is calling on the City of Johannesburg to release key financial and governance documents and end its culture of secrecy. Residents deserve open, accountable government—not information hidden behind delays and PAIA applications.

STATEMENT SUMMARY

The Joburg Crisis Alliance (JCA) has called on the City of Johannesburg to end what it describes as a growing culture of secrecy and to adopt a formal policy of proactive transparency. The Alliance argues that openness is not a political choice but a constitutional obligation under Section 195 of the Constitution, which requires accountable and transparent public administration.

According to the JCA, residents, journalists and civil society organisations should not be forced to rely on lengthy PAIA applications or legal processes to obtain information that is clearly in the public interest. The Alliance says the City's repeated failure to disclose critical information is undermining public confidence and preventing meaningful public oversight.

The statement identifies several key areas where transparency is lacking. These include the settlement reached with Eskom over the City's multi-billion-rand electricity debt, where the repayment terms, compliance milestones and potential default risks have not been made public. The JCA also criticises the City's refusal to release its correspondence with National Treasury explaining why Johannesburg's R3.605 billion equitable share allocation was temporarily withheld because of governance concerns. In addition, the Alliance renews its call for the publication of the three technical reports used to justify abandoning the Metro Centre and restricting access to the City's planning archives.

The JCA further raises concern over the repeated delays in publishing mandatory Section 71 monthly financial reports, arguing that these delays conceal emerging financial risks from residents, investors and other stakeholders.

The Alliance is calling for the immediate publication of these documents, the regular release of up-to-date Section 71 financial dashboards, and the adoption of an Open Government and Transparency Charter. Ahead of the 2026 local government elections, the JCA also urges voters to insist that all political candidates publicly commit to greater transparency and accountable governance.

Read the Daily Maverick Article HERE