In a dramatic turn of events at the Johannesburg City Council, ActionSA’s Nobuhle Mthembu has been removed as Speaker following a decisive motion of no confidence passed during a council sitting on Wednesday, June 25, 2025.
The motion saw a commanding 212 councillors voting in favour of her removal, with only 48 opposing — a result that lays bare the deepening fractures within the city’s governing coalition.
Mthembu’s time in office has been fraught with controversy, ranging from accusations of procedural irregularities to strained relationships with key coalition partners. Her removal highlights mounting frustration with her leadership style and alleged failure to maintain order and neutrality within the council.
Critics within the multi-party coalition argue that Mthembu’s handling of council proceedings eroded trust and disrupted cohesion, prompting a push for leadership renewal.
In response, ActionSA released a statement expressing disappointment, describing the decision as politically motivated but affirming their commitment to “fighting for good governance and the people of Johannesburg.”
The council is expected to reconvene in the coming days to elect a new Speaker, with political speculation already swirling around potential successors from coalition and opposition benches.
Mthembu’s ousting underscores the volatile nature of coalition politics in Johannesburg, where shifting alliances and competing priorities continue to challenge stable governance.
Observers say the event could trigger broader realignments within the metro’s political framework as parties jostle for influence in one of South Africa’s most contested urban centres.
