The Democratic Alliance (DA) has taken decisive action in Johannesburg by tabling motions of no confidence against both Mayor Dada Morero and Council Speaker Nobuhle Mthembu. This move stems from the party’s belief that the pair have turned the council into a “political playground” and have significantly contributed to the deterioration of service delivery in South Africa’s largest city.
In a recent radio interview Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku, the DA Johannesburg Caucus Leader, elaborated on the party’s stance, asserting that preparations for the upcoming G20 summit have starkly revealed the extent of decline in Johannesburg’s municipal functionality. According to Kayser-Echeozonjoku, the efficiency of basic services has declined markedly under Morero’s leadership, prompting urgent calls for accountability.
Kayser-Echeozonjoku expressed her discontent with Morero’s decision to implement what she referred to as a “bomb squad” to address the city’s challenges, critiquing it as a misallocation of ratepayers’ money at a time when comprehensive solutions are needed.
“The mayor cannot tell us exactly what they will be doing, who they will be accountable to, or the terms of reference of how they will be performing any work,” Kayser-Echeozonjoku stated, highlighting a significant lack of transparency in the administration’s processes.
Moreover, she accused the mayor of going “completely rogue,” claiming that no proper recruitment policy has been adhered to regarding the appointment of these so-called specialists. Kayser-Echeozonjoku’s remarks suggest that the mayor’s unilateral decision-making style is further destabilising an already fragile governance structure.
The DA is adamant that any political party abstaining from the no-confidence motion contributes to Johannesburg’s stagnation. They assert that failing to hold Morero accountable undermines the city’s potential for recovery and growth. “No political party should be coerced into endorsing Mayor Morero’s failures,” she declared.
The motions of no confidence are set to be debated in an upcoming Johannesburg City Council meeting, with the stakes high for both Morero and Mthembu.