Dada Morero is the new Johannesburg mayor… Again.
He was elected by the council on August 16 following the resignation of Kabelo Gwamanda three days prior.
The Al Jama-ah councillor stepped down following pressure by civil society and other role players who claim he has been unable and unwilling to run the metro effectively since he was elected in May last year. He said he would only step aside if the ANC wanted him to and would not be swayed by civil society or opposition parties.
Read more: Johannesburg welcomes Dada Morero as new mayor
Part of his decision to step down would have been when ActionSA, the third largest party in the coalition, said their support of the ANC required his removal, and was non-negotiable. The ANC had tipped Morero as a replacement.
Morero was sworn in at the 30th extraordinary council meeting at the Constance Bapela Council Chamber, Metropolitan Centre in Braamfontein.
He received 189 out of 249 votes against the DA’s Belinda Kayser Echeozonjoku, who received just 60.
Morero was MMC for Finance before being put in the big chair, a position which is now filled by speaker of council Margaret Arnold, who has since resigned from her position as speaker.
At the election, before her new role was announced, Arnolds congratulated Morero on his election. “Councillor Morero has demonstrated unwavering dedication to the people of Johannesburg, and I am confident that his leadership will bring about the positive change our city needs.”
He was previously mayor in 2022 but his election was set aside by Judge Raylene Keightley who said the removal of Mpho Phalatse was unlawful. He was on the job for only 25 days.
Morero is the 11th mayor of the city since 2016.
Also read: Thapelo Amad resigns as Joburg mayor
Following his election Morero said, “let us pause and reset. A reset does not mean we are starting from scratch. It means we acknowledge our mistakes, and apologise where we have failed our people. It also means we must celebrate our good story – indeed we have a good story to tell.”
Opposition voices like that of Outa (Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse) say Morero has been part and parcel of the machinery which has been governing the city, which is in ‘such a bad state’, rather than being appointed from outside the corridors of power and will monitor his performance closely.
The only change to the existing list of MMCs (Members of the Mayoral Committee) was Arnolds replacing Morero in the finance portfolio, and former mayor Kabelo Gwamanda being appointed MMC for community development, replacing African Transformation Movement’s Lubabalo Magwentshu.
MMCs
• Finance Margaret Arnolds (AIC)
• Community development: Kabelo Gwamanda (Al Jama-ah).
• Group corporate and shared services: Loyiso Masuku (ANC)
• Environment and infrastructure services: Jack Sekwaila (ANC)
• Development planning: Eunice Mgcina (ANC)
• Economic development: Nomoya Daphney Mnisi (ANC)
• Public safety: Mgcini Tshwaku (EFF)
• Health and social development: Ennie Makhafola (EFF)
• Transport: Kenny Kunene (PA)
• Human settlements: Mlungisi Mabaso (IFP)
Johannesburg mayors from 2011:
• 2011 – 2016 Parks Tau
• 2016 – 2019 Herman Mashaba
• 2019 – 2021 Geoff Makhubo*
• 2021 – 2021 Jolidee Matongo*
• 2021 – 2021 Mpho Moerane*
• 2021 – 2022 Mpho Phalatse
• 2022 – 2022 Dada Morero
• 2022 – 2023 Mpho Phalatse
• 2023 – 2023 Thapelo Amad
• 2023 – 2024 Kabelo Gwamanda
• 2024 – Dada Morero
* Died in office
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Related article: Thapelo Amad resigns as Joburg mayor
