Joburg Mayor Dada Morero survives no-confidence motion
JOHANNESBURG - Johannesburg Mayor and African National Congress (ANC) councillor Dada Morero lives to see another day in office, after a motion of no confidence against him failed to pass.
Councillors voted on the Democratic Alliance's (DA) motion on Wednesday, with a majority backing Morero to stay put.
The DA had tabled the motion, accusing the mayor of failing to address service delivery challenges in the city.
Morero secured backing from the majority of parties in council, most of whom are part of the ANC-led coalition government.
Council Speaker and ActionSA councillor Nobuhle Mthembu announced the results.
"The results are as follows: forty-three councillors abstained. Seventy-five voted in support of the motion and 144 voted against it. Therefore, the motion does not pass."
The Speaker, who was deployed to the council by ActionSA, will also to face a no-confidence motion on Wednesday afternoon.
The bid for Mthembu's ousting was filed by the Al-Jama-Ah Party, accusing her of incompetence.
Whip of council and ANC member Sthembiso Zungu will also face a no vote on Wednesday.
DA EXPRESSES DISAPPOINTMENT
Meanwhile, the DA in Johannesburg has expressed disappointment after its motion of no confidence in Morero was unsuccessful.
While ActionSA abstained from the vote, the ANC-led coalition still had enough numbers to keep Morero in the position.
The DA's regional leader, Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku, says it's unfortunate that Morero will continue as mayor.
"While parties in council chose positions over principles today [Wednesday], the DA can proudly say that it brought forward a motion to dismiss the man presiding over Johannesburg's decay. No amount of spin by a failing executive can conceal Johannesburg's rot and decay, but the residents of Johannesburg will not forget."
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