Just months after helping ANC regional chairperson Dada Morero secure the Johannesburg mayoral position, ActionSA has labeled its coalition relationship with him as “toxic.” The breakdown follows allegations that Morero ignored ActionSA’s objections to the city’s 2025/2026 budget—a R89 billion plan criticized as “anti-poor” and flawed—while lobbying smaller parties to secure its passage.
ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba told The Citizen that Morero’s actions prove he no longer values their support. “He has shown us that he does not need us, but we will not become voting cows to serve his agenda,” Mashaba said. He revealed he had escalated concerns about Morero’s leadership to the ANC’s provincial task team, citing unethical behavior and the appointment of compromised officials to key roles.
“Morero is failing Johannesburg residents by disregarding merit-based appointments,” Mashaba said. “He told me outright he appointed the MMC of finance to control her—that’s shocking. The ANC shares our concerns.”
Motion of No Confidence Looms
With Morero facing a no-confidence vote next month, Mashaba said ActionSA has not decided its stance but warned, “He clearly has other partners to protect him.” The DA and ACDP have already pledged support to oust Morero.
Will ActionSA Leave Coalition?
Despite holding the legislature’s speaker position, Mashaba vowed ActionSA won’t rubber-stamp questionable decisions to retain power. “We didn’t beg for this role. If they gave it to us thinking we’d be compliant, they miscalculated,” he said, pledging to use the position to hold Morero accountable.
2024 Elections: Targeting ANC’s Exit
Mashaba reiterated ActionSA’s goal to unseat the ANC in next year’s local elections. “Johannesburg must stop empowering the ANC. Where we govern, residents come first,” he said, though he doubted the ANC would remove ActionSA from the legislature given provincial-level negotiations.
Analyst: Mashaba’s “Soft Spot” for Johannesburg
Political analyst Ntsikelelo Breakfast (NMU) noted Mashaba’s unexpected alignment with the ANC—despite ActionSA’s anti-corruption stance—stemmed from his aversion to the DA and attachment to the city he once led. “He’s between a rock and a hard place, but Johannesburg is his priority,” Breakfast said.
The ANC and Morero’s spokesperson, Chris Vondo, did not respond to requests for comment.