Masuku elected Joburg’s first executive deputy mayor unopposed

By Simon Nare

Loyiso Masuku has been elected Executive Deputy Mayor of the City of Johannesburg during an ordinary council sitting on Thursday.

Masuku, who is also the ANC’s Johannesburg regional chairperson and the city’s Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Finance, was elected unopposed.

The election was conducted during council proceedings and overseen by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).

The position of Executive Deputy Mayor has been created for the first time in the municipality’s history since the advent of democracy.

Its establishment follows a request by mayor Dada Morero for additional executive capacity in his office.

Masuku secured backing from the ANC and was seconded by the Patriotic Alliance.

No other nominations were submitted.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) declined to participate in the vote, stating that it rejected the creation of the position.

After nominations were confirmed and no contesting candidate emerged, council speaker Margaret Arnolds declared