Johannesburg – Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero has accused ActionSA of leaving the city’s coalition government over its demand for two mayoral committee member (MMC) positions, dismissing the party’s suggestion that its departure was driven by concerns about the city’s performance.
Morero made the remarks on Thursday during an appearance on the Frank Dialogue Podcast for The Joburg Mayoral Debate, facilitated by Professor JJ Tabane.
He claimed ActionSA had asked him to remove an Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) member of the mayoral committee to make way for its own representatives. However, he said he refused because he was satisfied with the performance of the existing MMCs.
“They left because they demanded two MMC positions and wanted me to remove an EFF MMC to make room for them. I said no,” Morero said.
“Those MMCs are performing, and I will not remove people who are delivering for residents to satisfy anyone’s appetite for positions.”
The mayor rejected the suggestion that ActionSA’s departure was a response to poor governance, arguing that the dispute centred on the allocation of political positions rather than service delivery.
He said the African National Congress (ANC) would continue working to fulfil its commitments and was seeking another mandate to complete its work in Johannesburg.
Let me set the record straight. ActionSA did not leave the coalition because Joburg was failing. They left because they demanded 2 MMC positions and wanted me to remove an EFF MMC to make room for them. I said no. Those MMCs are performing, and I will not remove people who are delivering for residents to satisfy anyone’s appetite for positions. As the ANC, we will carry on with what we committed to. We will turn this city around, and we are asking for the mandate to finish the job.
— Executive Mayor: @CityofJoburgZA (@DadaMorero) October 16, 2026
Morero also defended the ANC’s record in the city, pointing to its previous infrastructure financing efforts and accusing the administration that took over in 2016 of derailing its plans.
He argued that the ANC needed more time to address problems that had accumulated over the years.
“We’re convinced that the ANC must get the mandate again. We must get the mandate. We will turn around, and we need that time to correct what has been done by those that derailed the project in 2016 when they took over,” he said.
Morero also criticised claims that previous administrations had addressed corruption, arguing that some of the cases they uncovered had not resulted in lasting changes.
He cited the dismissal of 120 employees at the city’s licensing department, saying the administration had failed to follow due process and subsequently lost the related cases.
Negotiations on coalitions
The mayor further defended his approach to coalition negotiations, saying discussions between political parties should remain confidential.
“Negotiations on coalitions are negotiations that happen behind closed doors. You don’t come out and reveal the discussions,” he said.
Morero’s comments come as political parties campaign ahead of the 4 November local government elections, with Johannesburg’s coalition arrangements and service delivery record emerging as major points of contention.
Leaders from the ANC, Democratic Alliance, EFF, Inkatha Freedom Party and ActionSA clashed over coalition politics, corruption, immigration and service delivery.
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Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi
