Joburg ANC denies deputy mayor position created to compensate for Morero’s failures

The African National Congress (ANC) in Johannesburg has dismissed claims that the position of deputy mayor was created to compensate for Mayor Dada Morero’s service delivery failures.

The party’s newly elected regional leader, Loyiso Masuku, was elected as the city’s very first deputy mayor on Thursday.

This now means the ANC holds both the mayoral and deputy mayoral positions in the metro, along with the majority of seats in the mayoral committee.

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The mayor is expected to soon outline the deputy mayor’s roles and responsibilities.

In December, Masuku made history after being elected as the first female leader of the ANC in Johannesburg.

Following her election, some within the ANC called for her predecessor, Morero, to be removed as mayor to make way for Masuku to assume the position.

However, the party’s regional executive committee resolved that Morero should remain mayor, which led to the creation of the deputy mayor position.

Despite this, ANC regional secretary Sasabona Manganye said Masuku’s election as the city’s first deputy mayor was not intended to appease any factions within the party.

“It’s a well-deserved election, given her experience in local government. She is a seasoned councillor who has played a role in different positions in the same chambers.”