By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Johannesburg Mayor Sello Dada Morero has pledged to improve basic services, formalise informal settlements, and boost infrastructure in his 2025 State of the City Address (SOCA).
Morero delivered his State of the City Address (SOCA) on Wednesday at the City Council in Braamfontein on Wednesday at 2pm.
Morero’s address was expected to address the pressing challenges facing the metro, with a focus on revolutionising service delivery and driving meaningful change.
The metro is facing widespread issues, including leaking sewer systems, uncollected waste, ongoing water throttling, and frequent power outages, all of which have become a daily reality for residents.
Morero’s administration has been marked by turbulence since his election as mayor.
He outlined a multi-pronged plan to tackle issues such as electricity access, waste management, potholes, and water security, aimed at uplifting communities and driving sustainable development across the city.
Morero will work with various entities, including Joburg Water (JW), City Power, Pikitup and Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA).
He said electricifying and formalising informal settlements across the city is one of the priorities.
“The electrification of informal settlements remains a top priority, with a R296 million allocation focused on connecting to the grid areas such as Diepsloot, Orange Farm, Ivory Park, and Kya Sands. This initiative will provide safe and legal electricity access to thousands of households, integrating them into the urban energy system and laying the groundwork for service upgrades and formalisation,” said Morero.
He said this initiative will be led by the City Power.
Morero added that this programme also supports the City’s energy transition, through complementary investments in substation upgrades and energy efficiency retrofits.
He said City will join forces with township traders to buy in bulk in a bid to boost profits and create jobs.
He declared war on potholes, illegal connections, dumping, land invasions and undocumented immigrants.
Morero has also announced in his state of the city speech plans to introduce a “bomb squad” to bolster his efforts to restore the city to its former glory.
It will be led by veteran Dr Snuki Zikalala and is expected to be operational in June.
Morero said this high-powered implementation impact team will ensure aggressive implementation takes place.
This is the second layer of leadership to be introduced after President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement of the presidential intervention working group which descended on Johannesburg last month.
Meanwhile the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Johannesburg has officially submitted motions of no confidence in both Morero and the Speaker of the Johannesburg City Council, Nobuhle Mthembu.
The DA says under the current leadership, basic services are crumbling, communities are being neglected, and the very machinery of local government is grinding to a halt.
The party’s regional leader, Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku, said it’s best if Morero was kicked out of office.
“The DA will not stand by while Johannesburg is hijacked by narrow political interests. We owe it to every resident to fight for a council that works, a mayor who leads, and a Speaker who upholds the rules with fairness and impartiality.”