Morero’s handling of JHB water crisis shows he is unfit to be Mayor

Issued by Stephen Moore MP – DA Spokesperson on Water & Sanitation
19 Sep 2025 in News

Soundbite by Stephen Moore MP.

  • Dada Morero has no plan to resolve Johannesburg’s water crisis and failed to answer for R4 billion defunded from Joburg Water.
  • His refusal to ring fence funding leaves Joburg Water unable to implement maintenance and repair projects.
  • Johannesburg’s water crisis will not be fixed under this administration — the city needs new leadership now.

After failing on his promise to restore water in 7 days, Dada Morero’s presentation before the Portfolio Committee on Water & Sanitation unequivocally proves he is unfit to be Mayor.

He does not have a ready plan for residents of Johannesburg, even while taps sit dry. The crisis in Joburg will worsen because of this incompetence.

Nor did Morero have answers to important DA questions. He had no answer to the R4 billion defunded from Joburg Water, bringing maintenance projects to a halt, causing the current crisis.

When asked whether he would ring-fence funding to Joburg Water, to fix the mess his Government has caused, he also had no answers.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) wants to be clear. The current allocated budget by the Mayor is insufficient to resolve this crisis.

It is disqualifying that the Executive of the City of Johannesburg is unwilling to give Joburg Water the resources it needs to fix the crisis in the City. Joburg Water has concrete plans – but lack support and resources from the City.

It is clear that Johannesburg’s water crisis will not be fixed under this Administration. Johannesburg needs a new government as soon as possible, or residents will continue to remain in the lurch.

We have also warned the Minister of Water & Sanitation that if she does not intervene, she risks being complicit in Morero’s failure of the millions of Johannesburg residents.

Johannesburg needs strong, dedicated, experienced leadership, that will sit not on its hands while residents suffer. Dada Morero and this Adminstration are not that. Change must come immediately.