Over the past year R22.3 billion in debt was incurred by municipalities due to a lack of payment by households, government departments and businesses.
The South African Local Government Association reported that the rolling debt, since pre-1994, sits at R165.5 billion as at June 30, up from R143.2 last year.
Households owe the largest portion, amounting to about 72% of the total debt.
Services rendered to government institutions account for about 6.2% of the debt, while the rest is owed by metros and businesses.