Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero delivered his final State of the City Address on Wednesday, 20 May 2026, at St Mary’s Cathedral. The Mayor defended his record against claims of service collapse, while the Democratic Alliance (DA) highlighted a growing culture of lawlessness.
Morero acknowledged that the City of Johannesburg faces an infrastructure backlog exceeding R220 billion. He noted that the city loses 44.7% of its water to leaks and theft, yet remains on track to resolve challenges.
“We said we will build resilience and reliability on water security. This is work in progress,” Morero stated during the address.
The city currently owes Eskom R5.2 billion. Morero promised a turnaround plan for City Power, stating the city will not fight Eskom but work with national government. He argued his administration inherited a broken, broke city, describing this as “fact, not fiction”.
SMread: No ceasefire, no food, no end in sight for Sudan
Opposition alleges executive lawlessness
DA Johannesburg Caucus Leader, Cllr Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku, condemned the Mayor’s leadership in a press statement released on Wednesday. She alleged that Johannesburg is becoming a “gangster’s paradise” due to criminal allegations involving several Members of the Mayoral Committee (MMCs).
The DA called for the removal of MMC Thapelo Amad following criminal cases. Kayser-Echeozonjoku also cited reports of another MMC’s arrest regarding kidnapping and allegations of assault by a third executive member.
“A mayor who cannot run his own executive, cannot run a City,” Kayser-Echeozonjoku said, criticising the Mayor’s silence.
Morero highlighted the completion of the Brixton Reservoir as a key success. He maintained that the city is on track with a funded R89.4 billion budget. However, opposition parties remain sceptical of these claims of progress.
Image: Johannesburg mayor Dada Morero during his state of the city address in Johannesburg on May 20 2026. Credit: ANTONIO MUCHAVE
