Despite growing financial and service delivery issues in the nation's largest metro, the African National Congress (ANC) has publicly supported Johannesburg Executive Mayor Dada Morero despite dismissing two executive mayors in less than a week for failing communities.
The ruling party promptly recalled Emfuleni Executive Mayor Sipho Radebe last week, citing persistent deficiencies in service delivery and deteriorating municipal conditions. The ANC also promptly recalled Madibeng Executive Mayor Douglas Seleke Mainane on Tuesday, the second mayoral removal in less than a week.
The back-to-back recalls signal a tougher approach to accountability ahead of the local government elections.
However, critics have also raised questions about how the ANC applies that standard after Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula recently praised Morero's leadership despite Johannesburg grappling with financial strain, water shortages, and infrastructure challenges.
"The ANC deploys its cadres to serve the people and not to serve themselves. A deployment to public office is a responsibility held on behalf of our communities, and it is held only for as long as the cadre advances the mandate of the movement," the party said in announcing Mainane's removal.
