Dear Editor
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Johannesburg has officially submitted motions of no confidence in both the Executive Mayor, Cllr Dada Morero and the Speaker of the Johannesburg City Council, Cllr Nobuhle Mthembu.
Johannesburg, the economic heart of South Africa is falling apart. Under the current leadership, basic services are crumbling, communities are being neglected, and the very machinery of local government is grinding to a halt. Johannesburg deserves better. The Executive Mayor has failed the people. Instead of leading with integrity, his administration has been marked by mismanagement, patronage networks, and a disturbing lack of transparency.
Equally troubling is the Speaker’s failure to uphold her constitutional role as an impartial guardian of council processes. Instead of ensuring fair and robust oversight, she has consistently shielded the Mayor, undermining council’s ability to hold the executive accountable. Her bias has stifled critical decision-making, suppressed legitimate scrutiny, and eroded the democratic integrity of the council chamber. The Speaker’s actions, evident in her protection of ineffective officials and disregard for procedural fairness, demonstrate that she is no longer independent but a political ally of the Mayor.
Between the two of them, council has turned into a political playground, while residents suffer the consequences of poor governance.
The DA will not stand by while Johannesburg is hijacked by narrow political interests. We owe it to every resident to fight for a council that works, a mayor who leads, and a speaker who upholds the rules with fairness and impartiality.
We urge all councillors, irrespective of party affiliation, to support the DA’s motions and join us in fighting for a city that works for all its people.
The DA remains committed to a Johannesburg’s residents where every resident’s dignity is upheld, services are reliable, and governance serves the public, not political elites.
Regards
Cllr Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku
DA Johannesburg Caucus Leader