A group of smaller political parties in Johannesburg, calling themselves the Minority Governing Parties (MGP), have tabled a motion of no confidence against Mayor Dada Morero — but insist the move is not meant to collapse the ANC-led coalition government.
The MGP, which includes parties such as Al Jama-ah, the African Transformation Movement (ATM), and the African Housing Confederation (AHC), accuses Morero of presiding over a “collapse in governance,” “administrative capture,” and “political interference” in the city’s operations.
“The MGP wishes to make it categorically clear that this motion is not against the African National Congress (ANC) or its role within the Government of Local Unity,” the group said in a statement. “Our differences are not partisan, they are principled. This motion seeks to change the mayor, not to break the coalition.”
The ANC, however, has strongly rejected the motion, labelling it as “disingenuous” and “politically motivated.”
“An attack on Executive Mayor Dada Morero is, in essence, an attack on the ANC itself,” said regional secretary Sasabona Manganyi. “Under Morero’s leadership, the City has made significant progress in stabilising governance, restoring service delivery, and rebuilding public confidence.”
The ANC also accused the smaller parties of failing to raise their grievances internally before going public.
The MGP’s statement, which appears to have been hastily prepared, lists former mayor Kabelo Gwamanda as the mover of the motion and Councillor Yongama Zigebe as seconder, but does not specify when or to whom it was submitted.
The motion has yet to be formally acknowledged by Council Speaker Margaret Arnolds, while Morero is expected to ignore the challenge for now.