Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero has retained his position after a motion of no confidence brought by the Democratic Alliance (DA) was defeated in council yesterday. The motion, which sought to remove Morero, failed to secure enough votes, with the mayor’s coalition partners in the Government of Local Unity (GLU) rallying behind him.
Motion Fails, but Speaker Ousted
The DA’s motion against Morero was rejected with 144 votes against it, while a separate motion to remove Council Speaker Nobuhle Mthembu succeeded overwhelmingly, with 212 votes in favor of her removal. ActionSA, a key player in Johannesburg politics, abstained from voting on the mayor’s motion but later supported the chief whip in a separate vote.
Morero, speaking after the vote, dismissed the DA’s efforts, stating that the opposition party had failed to present convincing arguments. “The DA wasted our time in council… They had no case,” he said, accusing the party of lacking preparation.
Coalition Tensions Rise
The vote exposed growing fractures within the city’s political alliances. The African National Congress (ANC) has accused ActionSA of betrayal after it refused to support the GLU in key votes, including the budget. Dada Morero criticized ActionSA, saying it had “gone against what the ANC stands for” in stabilizing the city.
ActionSA, however, maintains that it operates on a case-by-case basis rather than being a formal coalition partner. Despite this, Morero indicated that negotiations with ActionSA would continue, stating, “We have not closed the doors… It’s in the interest of the city to bring everyone into this arrangement.”
Controversy Over “Bomb Squad”
Another point of contention was Morero’s recently announced “bomb squad,” a task force aimed at fast-tracking service delivery. While the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) praised the initiative, coalition partners like the Patriotic Alliance (PA) and the DA raised concerns over its legality, claiming it operates without proper legislative backing. Morero acknowledged the criticism but defended the unit, saying it was necessary to address administrative bottlenecks.
What’s Next for Johannesburg?
With the speaker’s position now vacant, the council has 14 days to elect a replacement. The city manager will temporarily oversee proceedings until a new speaker is chosen.
Political analysts warn that Johannesburg’s fragile coalition government could face further instability, especially with ActionSA’s uncertain allegiance. Since 2016, the city has seen ten different mayors, raising concerns over governance and service delivery.
As Morero celebrates his survival, the focus now shifts to whether the GLU can maintain unity—or if Johannesburg’s political turmoil will continue.
