As the City of Johannesburg braces for a tense two-day council sitting, Mayor Dada Morero remains calm and confident, insisting that the motion of no confidence tabled against him by the Democratic Alliance (DA) is doomed to fail.
Backed by an ANC-led coalition that holds 141 of the 270 council seats, Morero appears to have the numbers on his side. The motion needs 136 votes to succeed, a threshold the DA and its allies are unlikely to meet without significant defections from the ruling bloc.
🔍 Allegations of Mismanagement
The DA has come out swinging, accusing Morero’s administration of widespread mismanagement, political patronage, and a failure to deliver basic services across Johannesburg. In a parallel effort, the opposition party is also seeking the removal of Speaker Nobuhle Mthembu, citing similar grievances.
Morero, however, has firmly rejected the accusations, particularly allegations involving unconstitutional appointments. “This is political theatre, not a reflection of governance,” he said, asserting the unity and strength of the coalition government.
💬 Coalition Stands Firm
Despite the political noise, insiders within the ANC-led bloc suggest little appetite for internal upheaval. “We remain behind Mayor Morero,” one senior coalition councillor said. “This is nothing more than a distraction from real service delivery.”
The African National Congress, in alliance with minority parties such as the Patriotic Alliance and Al Jama-ah, has held firm in past showdowns, weathering similar challenges since reclaiming control of the city.
⚖️ A City on Edge
While Morero remains confident, the stakes are high. Johannesburg has experienced frequent leadership changes over the past few years, eroding public trust and destabilizing service delivery.
With council sessions set for June 25 and 26, political analysts are watching closely to see whether Morero’s assurance will hold, or if a surprise political twist could tip the balance.
