The City of Johannesburg is facing a severe financial crisis, with reports indicating it has only five days of cash remaining and a massive R2.1-billion funding gap. Critical services are failing, as evidenced by the Johannesburg Metro Police Department and the Johannesburg Roads Agency running out of fuel. Despite these hardships, the City is attempting to implement a R10-billion agreement with the Samwu union and hire 700 new managers, moves Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana warns are unaffordable. While successful interventions occurred in eThekwini, the national and provincial governments have remained reticent to intervene in Johannesburg. This inaction appears driven by internal ANC political stalemates regarding mayoral leadership and the desire to protect the current ANC-led coalition. Consequently, the City risks a "doom loop" of service delivery failures that could significantly impact the upcoming local elections.