Herman Mashaba Slams Dada Morero As “The Most Useless Mayor” In Joburg’s History

A War Of Words In The City Of Gold

Former Johannesburg mayor and ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba has come out swinging, labelling current mayor Dada Morero “the most useless mayor” the city has ever had. Speaking in an interview with IOL News this week, Mashaba didn’t hold back, accusing Morero of poor leadership and a lack of vision as Johannesburg grapples with ongoing service delivery challenges.

Mashaba, who led the city under a Democratic Alliance (DA) coalition from 2016 to 2019, said he was “deeply disappointed” by Morero’s performance since taking over. “His focus is not there,” Mashaba remarked, adding that the city’s decline has accelerated under the ANC’s leadership.

A Political Tug-Of-War

Morero, who returned as mayor in September 2024 after the resignation of Al Jama-ah’s Kabelo Gwamanda, has had a rocky tenure. He is the ninth mayor Johannesburg has had since 2016, a reflection of the city’s deep political instability.

Mashaba revealed that ActionSA initially supported Morero’s appointment as part of a coalition deal involving the ANC, EFF, IFP, and MK Party but quickly regretted it. He said he was shocked when Morero justified appointing his finance MMC, Margret Arnolds, on the grounds that “I can control it.”

“I nearly fell off my chair,” Mashaba recalled. “You don’t build a city by surrounding yourself with weak people. You succeed by appointing the best.”

City Hall Fires Back

In response, Khathu Mulaudzi, spokesperson for Mayor Morero’s office, dismissed Mashaba’s remarks as “unfounded and politically motivated.”

He said Morero inherited a city weakened by years of instability including what he called “the disastrous administration led by Mashaba.” According to Mulaudzi, the current administration is actively restoring financial stability, fixing infrastructure, and improving service delivery through high-impact programmes.

“The residents of Johannesburg are witnessing measurable progress,” he said, pointing to recent credit rating upgrades as proof that “the tide is turning.”

Joburg’s Reputation On The Line Ahead Of G20

The political spat comes just weeks before Johannesburg is set to host the G20 Summit from 22 to 23 November, an event that will place the city under global scrutiny.

Mashaba warned that Johannesburg is not ready to welcome world leaders, citing issues like power cuts, water shortages, potholes, and crime. “Why do we clean up only for the G20?” he asked. “The city centre remains unsafe and neglected.”

Opposition parties share similar concerns, saying the metro’s infrastructure and service delivery are still failing despite visible attempts to spruce up the city ahead of the summit.

However, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi insists that preparations are on track and that the province is “ready to showcase Johannesburg to the world.”

A City Divided

For residents, the ongoing war of words between Mashaba and Morero is nothing new just another episode in Joburg’s revolving door of mayors. On social media, reactions were mixed. Some residents sided with Mashaba, saying service delivery has worsened, while others accused him of hypocrisy, blaming his own administration for the city’s long-term decline.

As one user wrote on X, “Same story, different mayor. Joburg deserves better than politicians fighting for soundbites.”

With the G20 around the corner and municipal elections not far off, Johannesburg’s leadership woes have once again taken centre stage and the city’s residents are left hoping that someone, eventually, will put service delivery before politics.

{Source:IOL}

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