Power Shifts Again in Joburg: Speaker Ousted, Council Faces Fresh Uncertainty

Speaker Nobuhle Mthembu booted out as political drama unfolds at City Hall

In a city that rarely sees calm in its political corridors, the City of Johannesburg has once again been thrown into flux. This time, the shake-up comes with the dramatic removal of council speaker Nobuhle Mthembu, who was ousted by an overwhelming 212 votes, leaving her with just 48 in her corner.

For residents already weary from power outages, broken infrastructure, and governance chaos, the latest leadership drama feels all too familiar.

Behind the Vote: What Went Wrong for Mthembu?

Nobuhle Mthembu, the ActionSA councillor who once held the speaker’s gavel, found herself voted out in a motion supported by the Democratic Alliance (DA) and Al Jama-ah. The motion came hot on the heels of ActionSA’s controversial decision to abstain from voting in the DA-led motion of no confidence against Mayor Dada Morero.

Speaking after her removal, Mthembu took a defiant but reflective tone.

“This was never about me,” she said. “We are here to serve, not to hold onto positions. Sometimes, principle comes at a cost.”

Her reference to principle was a nod to ActionSA’s stance that the DA had been playing politics at the expense of Johannesburg residents. She accused the DA of seeking to regain control “through the back door” rather than focusing on fixing the city’s deep-rooted service delivery issues.

DA Hits Back: Accusations of Mismanagement

The DA, however, didn’t pull punches in justifying its support for the motion. Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku, the party’s caucus leader in Joburg, cited poor governance and rushed meetings that left councillors ill-prepared to make crucial decisions, most notably, the recent approval of a R2.5 billion African Development Bank loan.

“Meetings were being called at the last minute,” Kayser-Echeozonjoku said. “We had no clear information on how the loans would impact residents.”

She further alleged that the city’s financial mismanagement had reached shocking levels, pointing to a ballooning R23 billion in fruitless and wasteful expenditure, figures she said came to light through a leaked document, rather than official channels.

What Happens Next?

City legislation allows for up to 14 days to appoint a new speaker. While the council hasn’t confirmed a date for the vote, political watchers say talks are already underway among parties to find a suitable replacement, one who can steady the ship.

Until then, the city remains in political limbo.

Mayor Morero: “We’re Building the Joburg We Want to See”

Despite the opposition’s dissatisfaction, Mayor Dada Morero managed to survive a separate motion of no confidence and came out declaring victory not just for himself, but for “stability and continuity” in the city.

“We know Johannesburg is facing serious challenges,” Morero said, “but we are focused on solutions.”

He pointed to backing from the Presidential Support Package, private sector partners, and civil society, noting that the administration remains committed to rolling out its Integrated Development Plan and a “Digital Public Infrastructure” initiative aimed at growing the city’s economy.

Public Sentiment: “We Need Service, Not Circus”

On the streets and online the reaction has been mixed. While some residents expressed hope that a new speaker might bring accountability, many others voiced frustration.

“Another day, another leadership crisis,” one X user wrote. “How about fixing potholes instead of playing musical chairs?”

“We’re tired of the blame game. Just get the basics right,” said Lindi Maseko, a Soweto resident who says her neighbourhood has endured weeks of water cuts and electrical faults.

Context: A City in Constant Transition

Johannesburg’s metro government has been in near-constant flux since the 2016 municipal elections shattered long-held political strongholds. Since then, coalitions have been fragile, and speaker roles often become bargaining chips in larger power struggles.

Mthembu’s ousting is yet another chapter in the ongoing tug-of-war over who gets to call the shots in Africa’s richest city.

Leadership vs. Service Delivery

While politicians wrangle over leadership, Johannesburg residents remain stuck in the crossfire, dealing with broken water pipes, delayed refuse collection, and power cuts.

As the city waits for a new speaker, the real question remains: Will the next council leader finally bring stability, or is Joburg doomed to another round of political roulette?

{Source: IOL}

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