Rabia Mayet | rabiamayet@radioislam.co.za

2-minute read

21 August 2024

Despite the fact that there are ‘bigger challenges’ facing the city, Dada Morero, Johannesburg’s new mayor, feels that he’s ready to confront them, citing that it’s the ‘right time that I’m back in office’. Mayor Morero spoke to Ml Sulaimaan Ravat on his plans for the city and what his priority list looks like.

Crime and law enforcement; financial sustainability; and service delivery are his core priorities, amongst others. Morero plans to improve on service delivery within the city, and on the upscaling and acceleration of by-law enforcement in the inner city to ‘protect the businesses within the city’, alongside localized crime prevention to bring ‘visible policing’ in all wards. The mayor is also looking to partner with local and provincial government, as well as the private sector for intervention; dealing with the bad buildings in the inner city and turning them into commercial and residential spaces.  Another core priority is the issue of substance abuse and the escalating sale of drugs, especially in the townships.

Mayor Morero advocates for networking, political engagements and consultation to find a consensus within the Government of National Unity on issues affecting the residents of JHB. Although many citizens of Joburg are skeptical about change after the previous mayor; Morero ensures them that he is looking to establish ‘stability within the city’ by implementing decisions made by council; addressing concerns of residents timeously; and achieving set objectives. He said that members of the mayoral committee will be ‘up to the task’ as they are a ‘committed team’.

Another issue is the R200 surcharge on electricity which Morero indicated will undergo a process of review. Although it is definitely not to be scrapped, there is an option for reduction, in addition to categorizing customers on prepaid. However, if any decision is to be made, it will only be implemented in 2025 after the budget.

The mayor’s message to the citizens of JHB on how to hold him accountable was clear – through civil society organizations; through the citizen participation program like the IDP; and also to approach the mayor’s office to raise their concerns. Morero stated that they have a ‘responsibility to deliver on the commitments that have been made’ and concluded that they have to ‘create hope’ in promising to do better.

Listen to the full interview on Sabahul Muslim.