Dada Morero's Fate Hangs in Balance as Loyiso Masuku Emerges as Deputy Mayor Frontrunner

Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero.

By Mpho Dube, Editor-in-Chief, The Azanian

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 Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero is facing a tough battle for survival as the ANC is set to appoint Loyiso Masuku as deputy mayor, pending the outcome of a motion of no confidence against him.

Masuku, the ANC's Johannesburg regional chair and member of the mayoral committee (MMC) for finance, is expected to take on the newly created position, which comes with a R1.28 million annual salary.

Morero, a close ally of ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula, has been accused of being a "bad loser" after losing the regional chair position to Masuku. Some ANC members are calling for his resignation, citing his lack of respect for the region's democratic processes.

The controversy surrounding Morero's leadership has led to allegations of electoral misconduct, with some claiming that the recent regional conference was rigged.

The ANC's Johannesburg leadership has forcefully rejected these allegations, labeling a police operation that discovered ballot papers from the conference as a "Hollywood movie".

Regional Secretary Sasabon Manganye has defended the electoral process, stating that it was "inclusive, credible, and constitutionally sound".

Despite Mbalula's attempts to protect his ally, Morero's grip on power is slipping. The creation of the deputy mayor position is seen as a strategic move by the ANC to shore up support and maintain control of the city.

As one senior ANC official put it, "Masuku is a seasoned politician with a strong track record. He is the right person to support Morero and ensure stability in the city".

The outcome of the motion of no confidence will have far-reaching implications for Johannesburg's politics and the ANC's grip on power in the city. With Morero's future hanging in the balance, the stakes are high, and the outcome is far from certain.