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IOL News
5 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
City of Joburg mayor Dada Morero insists ‘Bomb Squad' appointment is not a sign of weakness
Joburg mayor Dada Morero has denied that appointing the 'Bomb Squad' to tackle challenges across the city would show that he's failing to address those problems on his own. Image: IOL Graphic City of Joburg Mayor Dada Morero has denied that appointing the 'Bomb Squad', a team comprising ANC- and EFF-linked members, former city managers, and executives, indicates weakness or a failure to address the city's ongoing challenges. Earlier, IOL News reported that the team was officially announced on Thursday during a media briefing at the Soweto Hotel in Kliptown. Morero said the team will focus on addressing 'crime and grime,' lawlessness, service delivery bottlenecks, and fast-tracking municipal turnaround efforts. He insisted the initiative does not reflect an inability on his part to govern effectively, and blamed the city's decline on previous administrations. 'It's not a thing that is acknowledged in the decline that has happened in the city since 2016, and now we want to arrest and change this,' Morero said. 'In general, the city has resources out there.' Herman Mashaba, the leader of ActionSA, led the administration in 2016. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ The metro faces multiple challenges, including hijacked buildings, chronic water shortages, rolling blackouts, pothole-riddled roads, broken traffic signals, rampant crime, and municipal corruption. Residents have repeatedly voiced concerns about the city's inability to resolve these issues. Morero first introduced the Bomb Squad during his State of the City Address (SOCA) in May. The team is led by ANC Veterans League president Dr. Snuki Zikalala and includes several figures, such as former city managers Blake Mosley-Lefatole, Mavela Dlamini, and Professor Trevor Fowler. Also joining are Gerald Dumas, a former chief operations officer, and Reggie Boqo, the city's former group chief financial officer. Philisiwe Twala-Tau will represent the South African Local Government Association, focusing on governance. Vicky Shuping, an advisor to the mayor, will coordinate service delivery and urban management. Meanwhile, Busani Ngwani, of the National School of Government and the Group Performance Audit Committee, will work on improving governance. The team also includes Dr. Kwezi Mabasa of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, and EFF senior researcher Dr. Gumani Tshimomola, both of whom will contribute to economic development planning. Audrey Mothupi, CEO of Systemic Logic Group, will handle private sector partnerships. Morero said most of the members are volunteering their services and are already employed within Johannesburg or other municipalities. Only Zikalala will receive a salary, he said. 'You are saying we volunteer our money, our time, resources, and expertise to help you turn around,' Morero said. 'We have acknowledged that we've had a stubborn environment in changing our financial status.' He said the city needs at least three financial experts to help turn around its finances, addressing issues such as overspending and budget inefficiencies. 'That is why we believe this team will give the necessary support to the current executives who do accept that, yes, there are inefficiencies,' he told the media. 'I also had a meeting with the executives to introduce the Bomb Squad, which was widely received.' Morero said the mayoral committee supports the initiative and has even proposed additional names. 'They've made other recommendations with the collective ownership of the mayoral committee. It's not a duplication, it's a support mechanism where there are gaps and weaknesses,' he said. He added that while there is no timeline for the 'Bomb Squad,' they hope to see major progress within the next year. He said he aims to leave a financial surplus of R5 billion by June 2026. 'We want to grow the economy of the city by another 1% to 3% in the next five years,' Morero said. 'It requires that those focusing on economic growth help us implement policies to achieve that goal.' He emphasised that the team's mandate is to support, not replace existing city departments and enhance service delivery. 'These are individuals who are not employed by the city but are volunteering to give support and share their expertise,' Morero said. IOL Politics
IOL News
5 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Joburg mayor Dada Morero unveils ‘Bomb Squad' team to tackle city's problems ahead of G20 Summit
Mayor Dada Morero will unveil the 'Bomb Squad' team aimed at tackling challenges facing the city Image: Timothy Bernard /Independent Newspapers City of Joburg Mayor Dada Morero will unveil the 'Bomb Squad' team on Thursday morning, which will be led by ANC Veterans League president Dr Snuki Zikalala, aimed at tackling the city's dire challenges ahead of the upcoming G20 Summit. Morero will unveil the team at the Soweto Hotel. Last month, IOL News reported that during his State of the City Address (SOCA), Morero said the City would create what they call the 'Bomb Squad,' to be led by Zikalala. Its mandate, according to him, will be to identify problem areas and intervene in support of responsible units to ensure the municipality delivers efficient services. Morero said this is part of a broader turnaround plan for the city. The city is battling challenges including hijacked buildings, a water shortage crisis, constant power outages, pothole-riddled roads, non-functioning traffic and street lights, rampant crime, and widespread corruption in various departments. These challenges have persisted for years, with residents across the city expressing concern about the lack of service delivery. However, little has been done to address the problems. In military terms, a bomb squad is responsible for identifying and neutralizing explosives. Morero used the analogy to describe the team's mission. 'This COJ Bomb Squad must remove constraints that impact the city's ability to create the Joburg we want to see,' Morero said last month. Zikalala is the president of the ANC Veterans League and a former head of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC). The Bomb Squad will begin operations in June. According to the city, the team will be linked to and embedded in the newly announced Johannesburg Presidential Support Working Group (JPSWG), created by President Cyril Ramaphosa to maximize impact and avoid duplication or uncoordinated interventions. This comes after Ramaphosa voiced deep disappointment in March over the deteriorating state of the city during a meeting with the Johannesburg City Council. 'Water and electricity interruptions have become the norm. This has an enormous impact on the quality of life of citizens and the operations of businesses,' Ramaphosa said at that time. 'Johannesburg today faces enormous challenges, ranging from financial and governance instability to rapidly deteriorating infrastructure.'
IOL News
26-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
The IDP Sessions: A crucial factor in shaping Joburg's 2025/2026 budget
Johannesburg is known for its vibrant arts and culture scene and provides an authentic experience of an African city with plenty to do. As the 2025/2026 budget is tabled, it stands as a testament to the power of community involvement and strategic foresight. As Johannesburg prepares to table its 2025/2026 budget on 28 May 2025, it is essential to acknowledge the instrumental role played by the recent Integrated Development Plan (IDP) engagement sessions in shaping this vital financial blueprint. The successful series of consultations and participatory dialogues held over the past weeks has ensured that the City's budget is more closely aligned than ever before with the needs and aspirations of its residents. This approach flows from the themes articulated in the State of the City Address (SOCA) — 'The Johannesburg We Want to See' — and the budget theme for 2025/2026, 'A Financially Sustainable Joburg.' Engagement as the Foundation for Strategic Planning The IDP sessions brought together a diverse range of stakeholders, including residents, community organisations, business leaders, and government officials, to deliberate on the city's development priorities. These forums provided crucial platforms for community members to voice concerns and share insights on key issues such as housing, transportation, sanitation, and economic growth. The participatory nature of these engagements ensured that marginalised and underserved communities had a voice, making the planning process inclusive and representative of Johannesburg's diverse population. Shaping Priorities for 2025/2026 Insights gained from these consultations directly informed the strategic priorities outlined in the current IDP. Community feedback highlighted urgent needs, particularly in electricity, water, transport, safety and affordable housing, as well as electrification of informal settlements and efficient public transport, which have now become central themes in the city's development agenda. Consequently, the upcoming budget reflects these priorities, with increased allocations towards housing initiatives, infrastructure upgrades, and mobility solutions, demonstrating how community input is translating into tangible action.
The Citizen
19-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Is Morero protecting corrupt officials? — ACDP backs DA's motion of no confidence
The DA said it was shocked to see Helen Botes conducting television interviews as Acting Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the City of Johannesburg, The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) says it will support a proposed motion of no confidence vote against Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero. The party is the first to publicly come out in support of the DA's proposed motion to remove Morero. Speaking on Sunday, ACDP councillor Norman Mkhonza said Morero had made a number of questionable decisions that have left doubt on his ability to lead. This includes the appointment of former Johannesburg Property Company CEO, Helen Botes as Chief Operating Officer (COO) earlier this year. Botes has been implicated in Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) corruption, with damning findings by the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) proclamation R23 of 2020. She was also implicated in retired judge Sisi Khampepe's report on the Usindiso building fire in 2023 that killed at least 76 people. Khampepe recommended that the Joburg Property Company's board act against Botes 'for the total disregard of managing the Usindiso building, despite knowledge of its disastrous state of affairs since at least 2019'. The DA later laid culpable homicide charges against her over the matter. The ACDP questions why action has not been taken against Botes, and whether she is being artificially protected. 'We now know that the outgoing executive mayor was behind her promotion, but why, we don't know,' he said. Mkhonza said the position of COO calls for someone with a track record of integrity and professionalism and good ethics. 'Not someone who managed a building where 76 people died in a fire made inevitable by neglect,' Mkhonza said. Will Morero achieve his priorities? Mkhonza said he believed that Morero would also not achieve the targets that he set for himself at his State of the City Address (SOCA). 'On revenue collection: the debtor's book is now sitting at an estimated R62 billion, and he is still speaking about a war room that has not done anything tangible since his inauguration. The city now relies more on loan funding,' he said. DA guns for Dada The DA had cited several reasons for proposing a motion of no confidence against Moero, including the protection of alleged corrupt officials. It also alleged maladministration, unfair service delivery in different communities, and a number of lawsuits facing the municipality. The party's caucus leader, Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku, told The Citizen that Morero is complicit in flouting governance laws and attempting to extend the contracts of senior managers who have been in acting positions for more than three months. 'Despite the DA raising concerns in Council, a resolution was passed on 8 May 2025 that attempts to retroactively approve and extend the acting terms of seven senior officials — including the Acting City Manager. These appointments have already exceeded the legal three-month limit and are now without any lawful basis,' he said. ALSO READ: DA lays criminal charges against City of Johannesburg top officials Charges against Botes dropped Responding to the allegations against Botes, the City of Johannesburg said a legal opinion cleared her of all corruption allegations. 'As a result, the JPC Board resolved to drop all the charges against the CEO, in view of the legal advice it had obtained. 'To the best of our knowledge, the letter the JPC Board addressed to the SIU, in 2022, records the JPC Board's considered view on the matter,' the city said. Meanwhile, ANC co-convenor in Gauteng, Panyaza Lesufi, told reporters at the SOCA that the DA did not have the numbers to eject Morero from his position. It is still not clear on what day the motion against Morero will take place. NOW READ: 'Joburg is in free fall' — Next month could be make or break for Mayor Dada Morero
The Citizen
18-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
City's plans to eliminate reconnection fees for stolen power cables gets underway
City's plans to eliminate reconnection fees for stolen power cables gets underway City of Ekurhuleni Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, during his State of the City Address (SOCA) in March 2025, made an announcement calling for the removal of the fee for reinstatement of stolen residential service connection cables. As such, the city's energy department has started with a council approval process that will fast-track the amendment and the implementation of the promulgated electricity by-law. This amendment will form part of the city's budget process, but it requires council approval processes. Upon council approval, the outcome will be announced publicly and implemented immediately. In the interim, the charge of R1 500 excl VAT (R1 725 @ 15% VAT) will remain in place as part of the council's promulgated tariff until the amendment process is concluded. The municipality appeals for understanding and patience of ratepayers in this regard. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
