Gauteng schools owe municipalities R583.9m

JOHANNESBURG – Gauteng Education MEC Lebogang Maile insists nothing should block children from getting an education.

He says learning is a fundamental constitutional right for every pupil.

Maile addressed the media about the mounting debt in Gauteng schools.

Water and electricity have been cut off at some schools due to unpaid service bills.

Gauteng schools are facing a major crisis.

Municipalities have physically cut off electricity to at least 36 schools due to unpaid service bills.

More than 500 schools have been flagged for some form of billing-related disconnection.

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The provincial education department says by the end of March 2026, schools owed municipalities R583.9 million. Most of these unpaid bills had been outstanding for more than 60 days.

Following municipal disconnections that severely disrupted the academic year, an urgent High Court order was required to force the restoration of electricity to affected schools in Tshwane. 

It also protected other public schools in the province from similar power cuts.

Following this ruling, Maile insists nothing should stand in the way of children’s education.

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“Education services are not a privilege that is extended on the basis of financial ability. Education is a constitutionally enshrined right that is extended to all children in our country, regardless of their social or economic background or geography,” Maile said.

“Our assertion that teaching and learning should not be interrupted is not intended to negate or minimise the importance of revenue generation to municipalities. We recognise that municipal revenue is vital for funding essential public services, infrastructure development and local economic growth, enabling municipalities to function effectively.”

While authorities work on a permanent solution, plans are underway to overhaul the current school financial model, which MEC Maile says has created an accountability crisis.

Here is a breakdown of how much is owed:

In Gauteng, Ekurhuleni, the total amount owed is R75.14 million. 

In the city of Johannesburg, the total amount owed is R390.71 million. 

In the city of Tshwane, the total amount owed is R51.7 million. 

In the Lesedi local municipality, the total amount owed is R8.84 million. 

In the Mid-Vaal local municipality, the total amount owed is R3.99 million. 

In the Emfuleni local municipality, the total amount owed is R36.3 million. 

In Rand West local municipality, the total amount owed is R916 million.

In Merafong City local municipality, the total owed is R6.9 million. 

In Mogale City local municipality, the total amount owed is 6.3 million. 

Gauteng schools also owe Eskom a total of R6.32 million.

Report by Bafedile Moerane