This year saw it becoming second time lucky Sello Enoch Dada Morero as he occupied the position of Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, a position he once held for 25 days, from 30 September 2022 until 25 October 2022.
Morero was reinstated to the position on 16 August 2024, during an extraordinary council meeting, following Al Jamah-ah Kabelo Gwamanda's resignation.
His candidacy was supported by political parties including ActionSA, PA, EFF and ATM.
A SUPPORTED CANDIDATE
He emerged victorious after getting 189 of 249 valid votes cast against the DA's caucus leader, Belinda Kayser Echeozonjoku, who received just 60 votes.
Morero first tasted the seat of mayorship on Friday 30 September 2022 without any opposition, he replaced the Democratic Alliance's Mpho Phalatse who was dismissed following a motion of no confidence and after 25 days was reinstated through the courts.
Morero holds a post-graduate diploma in Public Management from the Wits Business School and a Master's degree from the Regenesys Business School. He further enrolled for a post-graduate diploma in Public Management and Policy Development at the London University Business School.
Morero is a long-serving civil servant having started his career in the public service in the South African Secret Service and also served at the Department of Home Affairs where he was responsible for functions such as data collection, the preparation of dockets and the investigation of criminal syndicates.
A ROCKY COME BACK
Shortly after being reinstated Morero quickly became South Africa's least favourite after suggesting that foreign nationals should be hired to supplement the JMPD.
"I always ask this question, that none of our police, men and women in uniform, can speak any of the foreign African languages. And the challenge is for us to deal with crime and you can have all of your suspects here, before they write their statements, they can plan what they are going to say in front of you, without you even hearing what they are saying.It might be a culture shock to suggest to this REC that if we are serious about fighting crime we have no option but those [foreign nationals] that are properly documented, with proper documents, can be recruited to the Johannesburg Metro Police Department," he said, during an ANC lekgotla.
Gauteng premier and ANC provincial chair Panyaza Lesufi, said the party did "not agree with this proposal'.
"We held discussions with our regional chairperson and executive mayor, who advised us that the ANC Johannesburg lekgotla rejected his proposal and he fully accepts the decision not to entertain this proposal further."
