DA's Bid to Oust Joburg Mayor Fails: Dada Morero Survives No-Confidence Motion

Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero

The Democratic Alliance's (DA) attempt to remove Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero from office has been thwarted after a no-confidence motion fell short of the numbers needed to oust him.

The motion, sponsored by the DA, was supported by 75 councillors, but Morero secured the backing of 144 councillors, surpassing the 136 threshold required to retain his position.

The motion was supported by the DA's caucus of 71, as well as the Freedom Front Plus and the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP). However, the government of provincial local unity's coalition partners stood firm in their support of Morero, with the ANC, EFF, Al Jama-ah, and other minority parties voting against the motion. ActionSA, which holds the speaker position, abstained, citing its agreement to support the government of local unity on an issue-by-issue basis.

Morero's victory is a testament to his leadership and the support he enjoys from his coalition partners. With 144 councillors backing him, Morero has demonstrated that he has the confidence of the majority of the council. The ANC's 89 seats, combined with the EFF's 29 seats and the support of other minority parties, proved decisive in defeating the motion.

The council will now discuss two more motions, with the DA tabling a motion against council chief whip Sthembiso Zungu and Al Jama-ah sponsoring a motion against speaker Nobuhle Mthembu from ActionSA. The outcome of these motions remains to be seen, but Morero's survival has given him a renewed mandate to lead the city.

The DA's ambition to oust Morero from office has been foiled, at least for now. The party's efforts to remove him have been met with resistance from the ANC and other coalition partners, who see Morero as a effective leader. The DA's failure to secure the numbers needed to oust Morero is a significant blow to their plans to take control of the city.

The outcome of the no-confidence motion is a victory for Morero and his coalition partners. It remains to be seen how the council will navigate the complex dynamics at play, but for now, Morero has a renewed mandate to lead the city. The DA's ambition to oust him has been foiled, and the party will need to regroup and reassess their strategy if they hope to succeed in their bid to take control of Johannesburg.