'Johannesburg deserves better': DA pushes to oust Mayor Morero over failing services

The City of Johannesburg mayor, Dada Morero’s job is at risk as he prepares to face a motion of no confidence vote in the Johannesburg Council on Wednesday.

The motion, which was brought by the Democratic Alliance (DA), accuses Morero of failing to restore service delivery in South Africa’s economic hub during his 10-month tenure. 

The DA claims the city is deteriorating under his leadership.

Morero, who is also the African National Congress’s (ANC) regional chairperson in Johannesburg, is not the only official facing a motion. 

Council Chief Whip Sthembiso Zungu, also of the ANC, and Speaker Nobuhle Mthembu of ActionSA are also targets of no-confidence votes.

The Johannesburg City Council is made up of 270 seats. 

For the motion against Morero to succeed, the DA needs a minimum of 136 votes, however, with only 71 seats, the blue party will require support from other opposition parties.

IOL News previously reported that in its motion, the DA accuses Morero’s administration of mismanagement, operating patronage networks, and demonstrating a lack of transparency. 

The party argues that under his leadership, basic services have deteriorated, communities have been neglected, and the machinery of local government has come to a standstill.

“Johannesburg deserves better,” the DA said in a statement.

The party also criticised Mthembu, claiming she has failed to fulfill her constitutional role as an impartial speaker and has instead acted as a political ally of Morero. 

The DA alleges she has shielded the mayor from accountability, suppressed legitimate scrutiny, and eroded democratic processes.

“Her actions have demonstrated that she is no longer independent,” the party said. 

It also accused her of protecting ineffective officials and disregarding procedural fairness.

The DA urged all councillors, regardless of party affiliation, to support the motions, saying Johannesburg residents are suffering due to poor governance.

“The DA will not stand by while Johannesburg is hijacked by narrow political interests,” the party said. 

“We owe it to every resident to fight for a council that works, a mayor who leads, and a speaker who upholds the rules with fairness and impartiality.”

The ANC leads the city’s government of local unity alongside ActionSA, the Economic Freedom Fighters, the Patriotic Alliance, the Inkatha Freedom Party, the African Independent Congress, Al Jama-ah, the Pan Africanist Congress, and others.

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

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