The Democratic Alliance (DA) has ignited a political firestorm in the City of Johannesburg by tabling a Motion of No Confidence against Executive Mayor Dada Morero and Council Speaker Nobuhle Mthembu, accusing both leaders of failing the city and calling for their immediate resignation.
The motion, officially submitted this week, has sent ripples through the metro council and intensified an already volatile political climate in South Africa’s economic hub. According to the DA, the current leadership has demonstrated an “inability to govern effectively,” citing deteriorating service delivery, governance instability, and poor accountability as key reasons behind the move.
“Johannesburg is being run into the ground,” said a senior DA councillor. “The Mayor and the Speaker have failed residents, and we can no longer stand by while the city deteriorates under their watch.”
The motion is expected to be debated in the upcoming council sitting. If passed, it could lead to a dramatic power shift in the city administration, with new elections for both leadership positions potentially on the horizon.
While the ANC-led coalition has rejected the DA’s claims as “political grandstanding,” opposition parties and civil society are watching closely, as the outcome could reshape the future of governance in Johannesburg.
With growing discontent among residents over service outages, infrastructure failures, and budget mismanagement, the DA’s motion has struck a nerve—and could be the spark that sets off a broader battle for control of the city.
What’s Next?
All eyes are now on the council chambers, where political alliances will be tested, and the fate of Joburg’s leadership hangs in the balance.
