Illness and Absences Shake Up Johannesburg Council

A wave of absenteeism swept through the City of Johannesburg council this week as dozens of ANC councillors missed sessions, citing ill-health and medical appointments on the second day of a tense council meeting. The timing couldn’t have been more politically charged: the ANC’s three-day regional conference was set to kick off later that afternoon, and high-stakes leadership battles were looming.

City Speaker Margaret Arnolds couldn’t resist a wry observation, wondering aloud whether the sick councillors had eaten the same food as other members, noting the sudden surge of illness among the ANC representatives compared to councillors from other parties.

Excuses, Quorum, and Political Tension

ANC chief whip Khazamula Chauke read out a long list of apologies: illness, medical visits, early departures for personal reasons, and family obligations dominated the explanations. Some councillors requested to leave early if council business wasn’t concluded, adding to the uncertainty about whether quorum would hold by mid-afternoon.

A DA councillor joked, “If these sick people are sick, are they home in bed, or will we see them on TV a little later?” The room laughed nervously, highlighting the frustration and tension in the chamber as the session continued with 145 of the municipality’s 270 councillors present.

Political Stakes Behind the Scenes

The absences come at a pivotal moment for Johannesburg politics. Mayor Dada Morero is gearing up for a showdown with ANC Regional Deputy Secretary Loyiso Masuku for the ANC Johannesburg regional chairperson position at the upcoming conference at Cedarwoods in Sandton. The winner could shape the city’s leadership landscape and potentially face DA federal council chairperson Helen Zille or a candidate from ActionSA, which has opened applications for its Joburg mayoral nominee.

Adding to the drama, Morero survived a motion of no confidence on Tuesday, tabled by former mayor and Al Jama-ah councillor Kabelo Gwamanda, a sign of the simmering tensions within the council.

Social Media and Public Reaction

As news of the absenteeism spread, social media lit up with both humor and criticism. Many South Africans poked fun at the “mysterious illness” sweeping the ANC caucus, while others expressed concern about political duty versus party politics. Memes joking about “ANC flu season” circulated on X, highlighting the public’s mix of amusement and skepticism about accountability in local governance.

A Reflection on Governance and Party Politics

The episode serves as a reminder of the balancing act ANC councillors face between party obligations and city governance. With Johannesburg’s political future hanging in the balance and a high-profile mayoral contest on the horizon, every councillor’s presenceor absencecarries weight.

As the ANC regional conference gets underway, all eyes will be on Morero, Masuku, and the wider party caucus, with the council’s recent absentee drama serving as both a metaphor and a warning: in Johannesburg politics, even illness or the claim of it, can sway the game.

{Source: IOL}

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