The City of Johannesburg's council is set to vote on a no-confidence motion against Executive Mayor Dada Morero on 29 January 2026, potentially marking the 11th mayor in 10 years. Coalition partners are pushing for his resignation to avert the vote, while debates also loom over creating a deputy mayor position. The turmoil ties into ongoing issues like the suspended Rea Vaya feeder services in Soweto, costing the city millions monthly.
On 29 January 2026, Johannesburg's council will address a motion of no confidence against incumbent Executive Mayor Dada Morero, the third such challenge since he assumed office in August 2024. The first motion failed, and the second was withdrawn, but this one stems from deepening ANC factional battles and coalition strains. The local coalition, including the ANC, EFF, PA, IFP, and smaller parties, held meetings where the Political Management Committee resolved that Morero should resign to spare the government embarrassment if ousted by vote.
Insiders report the ANC's Johannesburg Regional Executive Committee presented this to provincial structures, awaiting a response. ATM leader Lubabalo Magwentshu stated, “We have taken a decision to say we are not going to be commenting on this until we get feedback from the ANC on what transpired.” A minority party leader added, “If he does not resign, the motion will go ahead in council. If he does, the motion will fall through automatically.” Al Jama-ah councillor Kabelo Gwamanda requested a secret ballot under Rule 18, arguing it protects councillors from intimidation, though regulations likely prevent this.
The push follows Loyiso Masuku's victory over Morero for ANC regional chairperson in December 2025. Smaller coalition partners favor Masuku as replacement, aligning with tradition, though ANC national leaders hold final say. DA caucus leader Belinda Echeozonjoku remarked, “It’s unfortunate that the city has become a political football for these coalition partners that cannot find each other.” ANC regional secretary Sasabona Manganye urged engagement to retain Morero, citing the need for stability amid service delivery challenges. However, the ANC Youth League demands his resignation over dual power centers, contrasting secretary-general Fikile Mbalula's call to focus on regaining ground: “We are not in power in Johannesburg: the task... should be fighting to get the ANC back, not getting rid of Dada.”
Compounding issues, the council will debate appointing Johannesburg's first deputy executive mayor, proposed in 2023 by Gauteng MEC Lebogang Maile to ease workload. Approval would cost R1.28 million annually from the 2025/26 budget, opposed by the DA amid fiscal strains and Auditor-General findings. Echeozonjoku said, “We do not believe that the city is currently in a position to afford an additional budget for a deputy executive mayor at all.”
Transport MMC Kenny Kunene, from the PA, links the motion to Morero's handling of Soweto's Rea Vaya feeder buses, suspended nearly a year since February 2025 after taxi protests and driver killings. Introduced in November 2024, the 45 buses represent 60% of Rea Vaya revenues, yet the city pays R9.2 million monthly to operators PioTrans and Litsamaiso without service. Kunene called it Morero's “unilateral decision,” leaking documents of a February 2025 meeting chaired by Morero. PioTrans, in business rescue since December 2023, faces further woes, with practitioner Mohamed Mahier Tayob noting, “These buses are suspended at significant costs to the City.” Commuters like Nancy Chauke complain of delays and poor communication, prompting some, like Poppy Mashileane, to switch to trains. Kunene demands resumption with police escorts and Morero's resignation.
