By Levy Masiteng
City of Joburg mayor Dada Morero is under growing pressure to resign following a scathing critique from President Cyril Ramaphosa last week.
During a recent address, Ramaphosa expressed deep concern over the deteriorating state of Johannesburg.
Ramaphosa criticised the country’s declining economic hub – as the city prepares to host the G20 leaders’ summit in November.
He also expressed concern about the closure of public facilities, like the Johannesburg Library, the Johannesburg Art Gallery and the Metro Centre.
Ramaphosa called for the prioritisation of unfinished and delayed infrastructure projects including Rea Vaya bus stations and the refurbishment of Lilian Ngoyi Street.
Inside Metros understands that senior ANC leaders have agreed to remove Morero and implement an eThekwini-style intervention in the city.
However, despite the decision being made three weeks ago, it has yet to be enforced.
In an interview with Newzroom Afrika, mayoral spokesperson Chris Vondo clarified that Mayor Morero is not being removed from his position, following President Ramaphosa’s proposal of a Presidential Working Group to revitalise Johannesburg.
“The mayor is not being removed,” said Vondo.
Vondo highlighted recent extensive engagements with Cabinet regarding Johannesburg’s challenges and expressed optimism about the Mayor’s support for the initiative.
He emphasised that the discussions were positive regarding the launch of the Presidential Working Group and expressed anticipation for its establishment.
He pointed out that Johannesburg is grappling with rapid urbanisation, experiencing a monthly influx of 18,000 people and significant growth in informal settlements from 150 to 320.
These challenges, including water supply issues, significantly impact service delivery.
Vondo also stressed the critical importance of Johannesburg’s stability, stating that ‘Joburg is too big to fail.'”
The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has demanded his immediate removal, saying the party strongly believed “that any party with integrity would promptly relieve him of the responsibility of managing such a crucial economic hub in Africa.”
“The mayor has acknowledged his failure and the loss of confidence in his leadership,” said MK party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela.
The MK Party also criticised the ANC’s cadre deployment strategy, stating that it perpetuates a “vicious cycle of ignorant, arrogant individuals with dangerous incompetence” in key leadership positions.
“This Mayor was chosen from among the ‘best candidates’ interviewed by the ANCs top leadership to replace Mayor Gwamanda. According to the Constitution and Structures Act, there is no provision for a task team,” said Ndhlela.
“Over the years, we have underestimated the depth and the extent of damage and devastation that the overconfidence of unskilled people can cause. The Nation, all SOEs and municipalities are now at the most heightened state of devastation and collapse due to the psychological complex embedded within the ANC’s deployment arrangements and those entrusted with deployment decisions within its ranks.”
The ANC has defended Morero, with party spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri stating that he has worked to restore basic services, including free electricity and water for the poorest communities.
However, opposition leaders remain unconvinced.
“Lesufi and Dada Morero have embarrassed South Africa on the international stage due to their mismanagement of Johannesburg and Gauteng,” said DA Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga.
He argued that Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi only took action after Ramaphosa’s rebuke.
“Evidently, the daily complaints of Gauteng residents weren’t important enough for him.”
Msimanga also criticised Morero for failing to issue a public apology to residents, instead choosing to defend his administration.
Despite mounting calls for his removal, Morero has welcomed Ramaphosa’s intervention, viewing it as an opportunity to strengthen Johannesburg’s capacity rather than a takeover.
He pointed to recent achievements, including improved customer satisfaction ratings and partnerships aimed at cleaning and revitalising the city.
“More needs to be done to address water leaks and public safety,” said Morero.
“With this presidential support, we will not rest until we get it right.”
Morero said that on November 14, 2023, the Johannesburg Crisis Alliance (JCA), supported by members of the academia, wrote to him highlighting challenges related to service delivery to residents, financial decline, and coalition instability. He stated that these issues were discussed and debated through dialogues hosted by the JCA.
“The City took note of the actions proposed at their January 2025 summit, which provided a platform for stakeholders to express their views and concerns. One of the action items agreed upon was collaboration with clinics and taxi associations to protest against water leaks in their buildings. However, we have not seen this protest materialize. Nevertheless, we continue to work with taxi associations in the City, particularly through programs focused on cleaning Johannesburg and ensuring public safety around taxi transport nodes,” Morero said.
“We also welcome the support and partnerships from Jozi My Jozi and the Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce. These collaborations not only contribute to cleaning the City but also to its beautification. Enhancing Johannesburg’s aesthetic appeal allows us to reimagine the City differently and work towards achieving the goals set in our Growth and Development Strategy—Vision Joburg 2040.”
Ndhlela, however, insisted that only a full administrative takeover under Section 139 of the Constitution could truly resolve Johannesburg’s crisis.
He said according to the Constitution and Structures Act, there is no provision for a task team.
“If there is any intervention, the City of Joburg must be put under administration, according to section 136 of the Constitution. These failures are just some of the heavy burdens stemming from the ANC’s ‘dual-burden account’ deployment strategy,” said Ndhlela.
“The MK Party rejects the deployment of a task team that will inevitably drain government coffers. We call for the immediate removal of Mayor Dada Morero, and instead demand the employment of a competent mayor and qualified mayoral executive team to do the job, or place the City of Joburg under administration. We demand that the ANC stops playing politics with our people.”
INSIDE METROS