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Joburg mayor Dada Morero hauled before Parliament over city’s water crisis
A mayor in the hot seat
Johannesburg’s mayor, Dada Morero, is set to appear before Parliament’s portfolio committee on water and sanitation to answer for the city’s deepening water crisis. For weeks, residents across the city have endured unreliable taps, queues for water tankers, and growing frustration. Now, Parliament wants answers directly from the man in charge.
Morero will not appear alone. Joining him is the managing director of Johannesburg Water, who will be pressed to explain what interventions, if any, have been put in place to ease the strain on residents.
Questions on accountability
The Democratic Alliance has framed the water shortages as a full-blown crisis. MP Stephen Moore said the mayor must explain why the city has allowed the situation to deteriorate and whether there is a credible plan to restore a reliable water system.
One of the sharpest points of contention is the reported reallocation of R4 billion away from Johannesburg Water to cover “general financial obligations.” The DA’s caucus leader in Johannesburg, Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku, described the decision as deeply troubling, particularly as residents are being forced to rely on water tankers to meet their daily needs. She argues that funds meant for critical infrastructure should never be redirected without the approval of Council.
Embarrassment and political pressure
Political analyst André Duvenhage described Morero’s summons to Parliament as embarrassing for a sitting mayor but also a clear example of constitutional accountability. He said the ANC appears increasingly concerned about underperforming municipalities, especially in metros like Johannesburg, where service failures are eroding trust.
Since 2016, the ANC’s support in local government has steadily declined. Analysts warn that dipping below 30 percent nationally could cost the party control of most municipalities, forcing it into coalitions to govern. Johannesburg’s worsening water challenges could accelerate this political shift.
Morero’s track record
Dada Morero is no stranger to criticism. He was elected mayor with the backing of ActionSA last year and quickly drew controversy for downplaying expectations of change. During one of Randburg’s major outages, he suggested residents should not anticipate immediate solutions. In 2022, during a brief previous term as mayor, he was criticised for saying every household should have its own water storage tank, a comment made in the midst of another water shortage.
Despite these missteps, the City has procured at least 20 water tankers to assist affected communities. Yet for many Joburg residents, this is seen as a sticking-plaster solution rather than a sustainable fix for a city whose infrastructure is buckling.
A test of leadership
Friday’s parliamentary session is more than just a question-and-answer session. It is a public test of leadership for Morero and his administration. For Joburgers living with dry taps, the hope is that this appearance sparks real solutions rather than more political theatre. The city cannot afford to treat water, a basic right, as a luxury.
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Source: The Citizen
Featured Image: News24
