ANC councillor Dada Morero has been elected as the executive mayor of Johannesburg, SA's largest metro, during a special council meeting held in the municipality on Friday.
Morero succeeded Al Jama-ah councillor Kabelo Gwamanda who resigned from the role on Tuesday, following months of sustained calls from civil society organisations and opposition parties, that he must step down over deteriorating service delivery in the country’s financial and economic hub which contributes nearly 20% to Gauteng's GDP.
Morero, who served as the city's finance MMC in Gwamanda’s mayoral committee, is now the 10th mayor of Joburg since the 2016 local government elections. He beat DA Joburg caucus leader Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku in a 189 vs 60 vote.
Council speaker Margaret Arnolds said there were 253 valid votes cast, four spoilt, and one cancelled ballot, putting the total valid votes at 249.
Morero previously served 25 days as executive mayor of Joburg from September 30 to October 25 2022, before the courts ruled his election unlawful and set it aside, reinstating former DA councillor Mpho Phalatse who had been removed through a flawed no-confidence vote.
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