Johannesburg’s leadership is facing a crisis that could lead to the dissolution of its council and the city being placed under administration. This comes after repeated failures to pass an adjustment budget, a crucial requirement under the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA).
If the budget is not approved by March 18, 2025, Gauteng Finance MEC Lebogang Maile has made it clear that no further extensions will be granted. This could lead to fresh elections within 90 days—potentially reshaping the political landscape of South Africa’s economic hub.
Why Is Johannesburg’s Council at Risk?
Last week’s council meeting collapsed in disarray, with no agreement on the budget. Without the necessary 136 votes, the city could be left in violation of the MFMA, forcing intervention.
Political maneuvering is at an all-time high, as Mayor Dada Morero and other councillors fight to keep their positions. If the council is dissolved, every elected official—including the mayor and Members of the Mayoral Committee (MMCs)—loses their job.
With so much at stake, desperate negotiations are underway. But self-interest could override responsible governance—after all, as the saying goes, “turkeys don’t vote for Christmas.”
Could This Be the Shake-Up Johannesburg Needs?
The potential dissolution of Johannesburg’s council comes at a time when President Cyril Ramaphosa has already turned his attention to the city.
With Johannesburg set to host the November 2025 G20 Summit, there is mounting pressure for a Potemkin-style clean-up—a superficial effort to make the city presentable for international visitors.
However, this crisis goes far beyond cosmetic fixes. The city has suffered years of mismanagement, corruption, and decaying infrastructure.
Ramaphosa, who lives in Hyde Park, need only step outside his home to see:
- Sewage in the streets
- Potholes left unrepaired for months
- Traffic signals that don’t work
- Uncontrolled vagrancy and crime
While downtown Johannesburg is in a worse state, the cracks are spreading to suburban areas as well. The city’s steady decline under successive administrations has raised doubts about whether yet another presidential working group will make any difference.
Are Cadre Appointments the Root of the Problem?
Johannesburg’s leadership crisis is nothing new. Over the past few years, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has played a role in the instability, influencing the appointment of mayors like:
- Thapelo Amad
- Kabelo Gwamanda
- Dada Morero
These leaders, backed by the ANC-EFF coalition, have failed to address Johannesburg’s worsening infrastructure and governance issues.
Lesufi recently apologized to Ramaphosa for the city’s state, but some argue he should instead apologize to frustrated taxpayers who have watched their city fall apart.
The Real Power Struggle: Money and Control
Many critics believe the push for a presidential working group is not about saving Johannesburg, but rather about controlling more funds.
- The water tanker mafia profits from the city’s ongoing water crisis.
- City Power contractors receive millions before even starting work.
- Cadre-run state entities are notorious for exploitation and mismanagement.
A presidential task force is unlikely to fix these problems—dissolution of the council, however, could.
What’s Next for Johannesburg?
If the council is dissolved, Johannesburg will face:
- Immediate placement under administration, with Gauteng’s government taking control.
- Fresh municipal elections within 90 days, offering voters a chance to demand real change.
- Potential restructuring of leadership, removing the entrenched networks that have failed the city.
While some fear that dissolution will lead to further chaos, others argue that Johannesburg needs a hard reset. The city has struggled under political instability for too long, and business-as-usual governance is no longer an option.
Will this be the turning point Johannesburg needs? Or just another failed intervention?