Dada Morero says his administration has achieved more than 80 percent of the targets it set out a year ago, despite ongoing criticism over Johannesburg’s water shortages, electricity outages, and service delivery failures.
Delivering his final State of the City Address under the current political administration on Wednesday, the Johannesburg mayor outlined what he described as major progress in stabilising the metro and improving basic services.
The address, held at St Mary’s Cathedral in the Johannesburg CBD, comes just months before local government elections and at a time when frustration among residents continues to grow.
Among the achievements highlighted by Mayor Morero were improvements in water infrastructure, expanded electricity access in informal settlements, housing delivery projects, and efforts to revitalise parts of the inner city.
However, opposition parties and some residents remain unconvinced, arguing that daily realities in Johannesburg tell a very different story.
Mayor Morero Highlights Water Infrastructure Progress
One of the key achievements highlighted by Morero was the completion of the Brixton Reservoir project, which he said has significantly strengthened Johannesburg’s water security.
According to the mayor, the reservoir adds 26 megalitres of additional water storage capacity to the city’s system.
The project forms part of broader efforts aimed at addressing recurring water shortages that have affected communities across Johannesburg in recent years.
Water supply disruptions have become one of the biggest frustrations facing residents, with several suburbs experiencing repeated outages, low pressure, and infrastructure failures.
Morero argued that despite these challenges, his administration has made meaningful progress in improving the city’s ability to manage water demand.
During his speech, Morero also claimed that more than 70 percent of water pipe bursts across Johannesburg are now repaired within 48 hours.
The statement immediately drew laughter and visible disbelief from opposition benches inside the venue.
Critics questioned the accuracy of the claim, saying many communities continue to wait several days — and sometimes weeks — for repairs to damaged water infrastructure.
Nevertheless, Morero maintained that improvements have been made in response times and operational efficiency.
His administration insists that ageing infrastructure, population growth, vandalism, and financial pressures have all contributed to ongoing service delivery challenges.
The mayor argued that while the city’s problems remain significant, progress should still be acknowledged.
Another area highlighted during the address was the expansion of electricity access to informal settlements.
Morero said the city has continued efforts to connect more households to legal electricity supply while reducing dangerous illegal connections.
Illegal electricity connections have long been linked to power outages, infrastructure damage, and deadly fires in informal settlements across Johannesburg.
The mayor said the city remains committed to improving living conditions in underserved communities while working toward safer and more sustainable service delivery solutions.
Housing projects were also identified as part of the administration’s achievements, with Morero pointing to efforts aimed at addressing the city’s housing backlog.
Morero also used the address to defend the city’s ongoing operations targeting illegal activity in the Johannesburg CBD.
His administration has intensified law enforcement operations against illegal businesses, overcrowded buildings, and criminal activity in parts of the inner city.
The mayor said revitalising the CBD remains a critical priority for the metro as it seeks to restore investor confidence and improve public safety.
Johannesburg’s inner city has faced growing concerns over crime, deteriorating infrastructure, hijacked buildings, and illegal trading.
Morero argued that the city’s interventions are necessary to reclaim public spaces and restore order.
However, critics have questioned whether enforcement operations alone can solve the deeper economic and social problems affecting the CBD.
Opposition parties wasted little time responding critically to Morero’s address.
Helen Zille, the Democratic Alliance’s mayoral candidate for Johannesburg, accused the mayor of being disconnected from the daily struggles facing ordinary residents.
Zille argued that Johannesburg residents continue to endure unreliable services, worsening infrastructure, and declining living conditions despite the mayor’s claims of progress.
She said many communities would not recognise the success story described in Morero’s speech.
Opposition parties are expected to intensify scrutiny of the administration during debates scheduled to take place at the council chambers in Braamfontein on Thursday.
The debates are likely to focus heavily on service delivery failures, financial instability, and the city’s long-term recovery strategy.
Wednesday’s address carried major political significance as it is Morero’s final State of the City Address before local government elections.
The mayor faces increasing pressure to convince residents that his administration is capable of reversing Johannesburg’s decline.
Communities across the city continue to raise concerns about water shortages, potholes, electricity interruptions, crime, and deteriorating municipal services.
At the same time, Johannesburg’s worsening financial challenges have added further pressure on the administration.
The city is currently dealing with mounting debt and operational constraints while attempting to maintain service delivery.
Morero acknowledged that Johannesburg still faces serious problems but insisted the city is moving in the right direction.
Despite criticism, Morero used the address to urge residents and stakeholders to continue supporting efforts to rebuild Johannesburg.
He argued that meaningful progress takes time and that the administration has laid important groundwork for future improvements.
The mayor also stressed the importance of partnerships between government, business, and communities in restoring Johannesburg’s position as South Africa’s economic powerhouse.
Whether residents will agree with Morero’s assessment remains uncertain.
For many Johannesburg residents, daily experiences with water outages, electricity failures, and poor municipal services continue to shape public opinion more strongly than political speeches.
As the city heads toward another election season, Morero’s leadership — and the performance of his administration — are likely to remain under intense public scrutiny.
Source- EWN
