Speaker Mthembu removed, 212 for to 48 against; Mayor Morero motion fails

Speaker removed; meeting cannot proceed

At the 31st Ordinary Council Meeting on 25 June 2025, council carried a motion of no confidence in the Speaker, Cllr Nobuhle Mthembu: 212 in favour, 48 against, no abstentions. 25 Jun 04:35:32 Cllr Gwamanda (Al Jama-ah) closed the debate on the Speaker motion on behalf of the GLU, and Legal counted the show-of-hands vote after a bell. 25 Jun 04:35:32 Cllr Mmbengwa said the ANC supported the Speaker's removal, and withdrew a 'DA-lite' remark when the chair ordered it following a point of order by Cllr Mposula. 25 Jun 04:27:23

The Acting Speaker said the Speaker's post was now vacant and the 31st Ordinary Council Meeting could not continue. 25 Jun 04:46:50 An unidentified councillor said the acting city manager would, in due course, call a further council meeting to deal with the vacant Speaker's position. 25 Jun 04:46:50 promise

Motion of no confidence in Mayor Morero fails

Cllr Christians (DA) moved a motion of no confidence in Executive Mayor Dada Morero under Rule 94(1), saying the motion was about saving Johannesburg. 25 Jun 02:16:04 The motion of no confidence in Executive Mayor Dada Morero failed on a show of hands: 75 in favour, 144 against and 43 abstentions. 25 Jun 03:36:08 An automated check linked the mayoral motion to an 8 May 2025 promise by Cllr Echeozonjoku that the DA would bring such a motion, recording it as said to be done. 25 Jun 03:36:08 earlier promise

Cllr Harris said the ACDP supported the motion against the mayor, citing intermittent water, power failures, tariff increases and City Power's overdraft. 25 Jun 02:48:20 Speakers for ActionSA, the ATM, IFP, PAC, GOOD, UDM, Al Jama-ah, AIC, EFF and ANC each opposed the motion of no confidence in Mayor Morero. 25 Jun 02:40:26 25 Jun 02:45:50 25 Jun 02:51:43 25 Jun 02:55:25 25 Jun 03:04:03 25 Jun 03:06:48 25 Jun 03:10:35 25 Jun 03:13:50 25 Jun 03:17:31 25 Jun 03:24:25 Cllr Cook said GOOD would not support the motion against Mayor Morero because Johannesburg could not survive more instability, but urged the mayor to restructure his executive. 25 Jun 03:04:03

Whip motion and Rules Committee referral

A motion of no confidence in the Whip of Council, Cllr Zungu, tabled by Cllr Sifumba (DA), failed: 69 in favour, 179 against and 6 abstentions. 25 Jun 03:48:28 25 Jun 04:09:56 Speakers for the IFP, ActionSA, UDM, ATM and ANC opposed the motion against the Whip of Council, and MMC Arnolds said the AIC had full confidence in the Whip. 25 Jun 03:52:52 25 Jun 04:00:13

The Speaker, Cllr Mthembu, refused a request to swap the proposer and seconder of the mayoral motion, saying both were present and legal advice allowed a swap only if one was absent. 25 Jun 02:14:34 MMC Masuku argued that Rule 91.1 does not say a proposer and seconder swap is allowed only when one person is absent, and asked that the Speaker's ruling go to the Rules Committee. 25 Jun 02:22:54 The Speaker said the swap ruling was a matter of interpretation and said: "We can take it to the Rules Committee." 25 Jun 02:22:54 promise

The Speaker granted a break after the EFF Chief Whip said an EFF councillor had collapsed outside. 25 Jun 02:18:57 Cllr Mogapi (EFF) reported that the collapsed councillor had been reached, was on a drip and would be taken back to the ambulances. 25 Jun 02:28:33

Opening, quorum and year planner

The 31st Ordinary Council Meeting opened with 230 councillors present, and quorum was confirmed with 231 after a five-minute pause to sign the attendance register. 25 Jun 00:19:49 25 Jun 00:21:45 Council agreed to Item 75, the year planner and schedule of meetings of Council and committees for July 2025 to June 2026, without a counted vote. 25 Jun 02:03:30 On Item 75, Cllr Suddaby (DA) asked that OCG and MPAC dates be treated as untouchable, and criticised the nine extraordinary council meetings of 2024/25 for displacing MPAC meetings. 25 Jun 02:03:30