October 20, 2003

The City of Johannesburg, which is already owed R5-billion by its residents, could face millions more in debt, The Star newspaper reported.

A shock court judgement holds major repercussions for all municipalities. The Port Elizabeth High Court has found it is constitutionally invalid for landlords to be held liable for their tenants' arrears.

The matter has been highly controversial, with many landlords objecting to being held liable for their tenants' accounts, over which they have no control, which municipalities have sometimes allowed to run into millions of rands.

For more information see: IOL

South African Cities Network: www.sacities.net