Checked 16 October 2026
Where the facts about the City of Johannesburg come from
Every fact on the City of Johannesburg page, with the sources we used. We save a copy of each source on the day we read it.
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Who is the mayor, and which parties run the council?
Dada Morero (ANC)
Mayor from 16 Aug 2024 to now. Parties running the council: ANC, EFF, PA, IFP.
The Citizen. Published 16 August 2024.
Where to look: Paragraph 1 ('ANC regional chairperson Dada Morero has been elected as mayor of the City of Johannesburg for the second time'); paragraph 2 (189 votes to 60)
Daily Maverick. Published 28 January 2026.
Where to look: Body paragraph 9: 'The local coalition comprises the ANC, EFF, PA, IFP and several smaller parties.'
Kabelo Gwamanda (Al Jama-ah)
Mayor from 5 May 2023 to 13 Aug 2024. Parties running the council: Al Jama-ah, ANC, EFF.
TimesLIVE. Published 5 May 2023.
Where to look: Paragraph 1 ('Kabelo Gwamanda has been elected mayor of Johannesburg'); paragraph 2 (Al Jama-ah member; 'the backing of the ANC, EFF and minority parties'; replaces Thapelo Amad)
TimesLIVE. Published 13 August 2024.
Where to look: Paragraph 1 ('Embattled Johannesburg mayor Kabelo Gwamanda has submitted his resignation'); paragraph 2 (statement released by the City on Tuesday 13 Aug 2024)
Thapelo Amad (Al Jama-ah)
Mayor from 27 Jan 2023 to 24 Apr 2023. Parties running the council: Al Jama-ah, ANC, EFF, PA, ATM, African Independent Congress, Congress of the People.
TimesLIVE. Published 27 January 2023.
Where to look: Paragraph 1 (Amad of Al Jama-ah elected mayor); paragraph 2 (Phalatse axed on Thursday by a motion of no confidence); paragraph 3 (138 votes to Phalatse's 81 and Ngobeni's 46); paragraph 4 (backed by the ANC, EFF, Patriotic Alliance and minority parties including the AIC, Al Jama-ah, ATM and COPE); paragraph 5 (Al Jama-ah has three seats); paragraph 6 ('interim' mayor)
TimesLIVE. Published 24 April 2023.
Where to look: Paragraph 1 (Amad has stepped down as mayor); paragraph 2 (he faced a motion of no confidence, with speaker Colleen Makhubele, set for Tuesday); paragraph 4 (the motions were brought by ActionSA and the DA)
Mpho Phalatse (DA)
Mayor from 25 Oct 2022 to 26 Jan 2023. Parties running the council: DA, ActionSA, IFP, FF+, ACDP.
TimesLIVE. Published 25 October 2022.
Where to look: Paragraph 1 (Phalatse reinstated); paragraph 2 (the South Gauteng High Court on Tuesday declared her removal and Morero's election invalid and unlawful); paragraph 3 (removed by an ANC-led coalition with the help of the EFF and the PA); paragraph 7 (Phalatse 'is declared to be the executive mayor'); paragraph 9 (Morero's decisions as mayor set aside)
Sowetan. Published 19 January 2023.
Where to look: Paragraph 1 (PA going back to the DA-led coalitions in Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni); paragraph 5 ('the PA, ActionSA, DA, FF+, ACDP and IFP multiparty coalition'); paragraph 11 (Ekurhuleni coalition of the DA, ActionSA, Cope, FF Plus, ACDP and IFP has 100 seats with the PA); paragraph 12 (113 seats needed); paragraph 14 (Joburg DA-led coalition has 137 seats)
TimesLIVE. Published 27 January 2023.
Where to look: Paragraph 1 (Amad of Al Jama-ah elected mayor); paragraph 2 (Phalatse axed on Thursday by a motion of no confidence); paragraph 3 (138 votes to Phalatse's 81 and Ngobeni's 46); paragraph 4 (backed by the ANC, EFF, Patriotic Alliance and minority parties including the AIC, Al Jama-ah, ATM and COPE); paragraph 5 (Al Jama-ah has three seats); paragraph 6 ('interim' mayor)
Dada Morero (ANC)
Mayor from 30 Sep 2022 to 25 Oct 2022. Parties running the council: ANC, EFF, PA, Al Jama-ah, African Independent Congress.
Sowetan. Published 30 September 2022.
Where to look: Headline (Morero is the new mayor); paragraph 1 (Phalatse ousted); paragraph 2 (motion passed by 139 on Friday, DA and IFP members abstained); paragraph 3 ('The ANC, AIC, Al-Jama-ah and other minority parties voted in support of the motion')
TimesLIVE. Published 25 October 2022.
Where to look: Paragraph 1 (Phalatse reinstated); paragraph 2 (the South Gauteng High Court on Tuesday declared her removal and Morero's election invalid and unlawful); paragraph 3 (removed by an ANC-led coalition with the help of the EFF and the PA); paragraph 7 (Phalatse 'is declared to be the executive mayor'); paragraph 9 (Morero's decisions as mayor set aside)
Mpho Phalatse (DA)
Mayor from 22 Nov 2021 to 30 Sep 2022. Parties running the council: DA, ActionSA, IFP, FF+, PA, ACDP.
Daily Maverick. Published 23 November 2021.
Where to look: Paragraph 1 (Phalatse won the mayoral chains 'late on Monday', 22 Nov 2021); paragraph 2 ('Phalatse won 144 votes to Moerane's 121'); paragraph 7 (ActionSA and the EFF voted for her but are not in a coalition with the DA; no coalition agreement yet). Paragraph 1 is the first body paragraph after the photo credit.
Sunday Times. Published 13 December 2021.
Where to look: Paragraph 2 ('The DA has partnered with ActionSA, IFP, FF Plus, COPE and ACDP to form majority governments in Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni'); paragraph 12 (Joburg mayoral committee: ActionSA three posts, IFP, ACDP and FF Plus one each, the rest DA); paragraph 13 (Phalatse: 'the nature of the minority government that we had'); paragraph 14 (Ekurhuleni mayoral committee: ActionSA two, COPE and IFP one each, DA seven)
Sowetan. Published 14 September 2022.
Where to look: Paragraph 2 ('if all coalition partners vote together, they have 138 votes in council. Currently the multi-party coalition consists of the DA, ActionSA, IFP, FF+, PA and ACDP. The future of COPE and ATM in the coalition remains unclear.'); paragraph 3 (a UIM councillor among four who went against the coalition); paragraph 6 (Phalatse: 'where you need 50+1 is 136')
Sowetan. Published 30 September 2022.
Where to look: Headline (Morero is the new mayor); paragraph 1 (Phalatse ousted); paragraph 2 (motion passed by 139 on Friday, DA and IFP members abstained); paragraph 3 ('The ANC, AIC, Al-Jama-ah and other minority parties voted in support of the motion')
Dated reports
As of 16 Oct 2026: Dada Morero was elected executive mayor on 16 August 2024. He has been mayor since then.
City of Johannesburg. Page is undated.
Where to look: 'Executive Mayor' profile page (undated, accessed 2026-10-16): 'since his election on 16 August 2024'; 'regional chairperson of the African National Congress (ANC) in Johannesburg'
As of 1 Oct 2026: Dada Morero is Johannesburg's mayor. Loyiso Masuku is deputy mayor. Masuku is also the finance MMC. An MMC is a member of the mayoral committee.
Daily Maverick. Published 1 October 2026.
Where to look: paragraph 1 ('Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero and his coalition'); paragraph 51 ('Deputy Mayor and Finance MMC Loyiso Masuku')
As of 24 Aug 2026: The ANC's Dada Morero is executive mayor of Johannesburg. He is seeking a full ANC mandate in the 2026 election.
eNCA. Published 24 August 2026.
Where to look: paragraph 1 ('The ANC's Dada Morero believes he is still the man for the job'); photo caption ('Executive Mayor of Johannesburg')
As of 22 Aug 2026: Dada Morero, the current Johannesburg mayor, was elected in August 2024. Loyiso Masuku is deputy mayor and finance MMC.
Daily Maverick. Published 22 August 2026.
Where to look: Johannesburg paragraphs (about paras 11-12): 'is the incumbent Johannesburg mayor and was elected in August 2024'; Masuku 'part of the City's executive leadership'
As of 13 Jul 2026: The Minority Governing Parties are part of Johannesburg's governing coalition. On 12 July 2026 they decided to withdraw Thapelo Amad from his post. Amad was MMC for Community Development. An MMC is a member of the mayoral committee. They asked the ANC to appoint Kabelo Gwamanda in his place. They asked the ANC because it leads the coalition.
The Citizen. Published 13 July 2026.
Where to look: paragraphs 1-4 and 'In a surprise move, the MGP wrote a letter to the ANC as the leader of the coalition'
As of 7 Jul 2026: Kenny Kunene was Johannesburg's MMC for Transport in June and July 2026.
Daily Maverick. Published 7 July 2026.
Where to look: paragraph beginning 'Last month, the MMC for Transport, Kenny Kunene' and photo caption
As of 16 May 2026: Mlungisi Mabaso of the IFP is Johannesburg's MMC for Human Settlements.
EWN. Published 16 May 2026.
Where to look: paragraph 1 and photo caption
As of 24 Apr 2026: Mayor Dada Morero appointed Councillor Moses Segatike Koma as MMC for Public Safety. This came after the resignation of Dr Mgcini Tshwaku.
City of Johannesburg. Published 24 April 2026.
Where to look: statement dated 24 April 2026, paragraph 1
As of 9 Apr 2026: EFF leader Julius Malema announced that the party would recall its Johannesburg MMC for Public Safety. This was Mgcini Tshwaku. To recall means to take someone back from a post. Malema also announced that EFF provincial secretary Moshe Koma would replace Tshwaku in that post.
EWN. Published 9 April 2026.
Where to look: paragraphs beginning 'Malema also announced plans to recall its MMC for Public Safety' to 'Malema said the party's provincial secretary Moshe Koma'
As of 27 Feb 2026: A coalition runs Johannesburg. It is made up of the ANC, EFF, PA and smaller parties, including Al Jama-ah. Al Jama-ah brought a fourth motion of no confidence in Mayor Morero. It lapsed (fell away) on 26 February 2026. The councillors who brought it left before it was called.
EWN. Published 27 February 2026.
Where to look: paragraphs 2-3 (movers from Al Jama-ah, UDM and ATM absent when the motion was called); paragraph 5 ('governed by a coalition made up of the ANC, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Patriotic Alliance (PA)' plus smaller parties incl. Al Jama-ah); paragraph 10 (Morero has survived three Al Jama-ah motions)
As of 26 Feb 2026: Loyiso Masuku was elected first deputy mayor of the city. No one else stood for the post. Masuku is the ANC's Johannesburg regional chairperson. Masuku is also the finance MMC.
Daily News. Published 26 February 2026.
Where to look: paragraph 1 ('elected unopposed as the City of Johannesburg's first-ever deputy mayor'; 'ANC regional chairperson and Finance MMC'); paragraph 2 (vote on Thursday in council); date from URL/metadata
As of 29 Jan 2026: Al Jama-ah councillor Kabelo Gwamanda brought a motion of no confidence in Mayor Dada Morero. It was postponed on 29 January 2026. The council agreed to create a deputy mayor post.
Daily Maverick. Published 29 January 2026.
Where to look: paragraphs 1-2; 'Deputy mayor incoming' section, paragraph 3
As of 28 Jan 2026: The governing coalition in Johannesburg is made up of the ANC, the EFF, the PA, the IFP and several smaller parties.
Daily Maverick. Published 28 January 2026.
Where to look: body paragraph 9: 'The local coalition comprises the ANC, EFF, PA, IFP and several smaller parties.'
As of 17 Jan 2026: The Minority Governing Parties are a group of ten smaller parties in the Johannesburg council. They are allied with the coalition led by the ANC. They have a deal to share power. So they hold one seat on the mayoral committee. Mayor Morero gave the seat to Thapelo Amad (Al Jama-ah). The post is MMC for Community Development. Thapelo Amad took the place of Tebogo Nkonkou.
EWN. Published 17 January 2026.
Where to look: paragraphs 1-4
As of 3 Oct 2025: Kenny Kunene is deputy president of the Patriotic Alliance. Kunene got the post of MMC for Transport back. This is in Johannesburg's mayoral team. Mayor Dada Morero confirmed it. It came after talks between the ANC and the PA.
eNCA. Published 3 October 2025.
Where to look: paragraphs 1-2
As of 25 Jun 2025: The council is governed by a coalition led by the ANC.
Daily Maverick. Published 25 June 2025.
Where to look: opening summary; 'ActionSA vs DA' section
As of 25 Jun 2025: The current mayor is Dada Morero (ANC).
Daily Maverick. Published 25 June 2025.
Where to look: paragraph beginning 'On the same day,' before the 'ActionSA vs DA' heading
As of 16 Aug 2024: Dada Morero (ANC) was elected Johannesburg mayor on 16 August 2024. He won 189 votes to 60 for the DA's Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku. The ANC, EFF, ActionSA and minority parties backed him.
EWN. Published 16 August 2024.
Where to look: paragraph 1 ('The African National Congress (ANC) has reclaimed the mayoral chains in Joburg'); paragraph 2 (189 votes; Kayser-Echeozonjoku 60); paragraph 6 ('backed by the ANC, EFF, ACTIONSA and minority parties in council')
How were the seats split?
The 2021 result
Who won the 270 seats in 2021.
Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). Page is undated.
Where to look: pp. 4-6 of 6, seat table, Total Party Seats column
Every party
The seats now, by party (ward seats and party seats). African National Congress: 89 (85 ward, 4 party). Democratic Alliance: 70 (42 ward, 28 party). ActionSA: 44 (0 ward, 44 party). Economic Freedom Fighters: 29 (0 ward, 29 party). Patriotic Alliance: 11 (5 ward, 6 party). Inkatha Freedom Party: 7 (2 ward, 5 party). Freedom Front Plus: 4 (0 ward, 4 party). African Christian Democratic Party: 3 (0 ward, 3 party). Al Jama-ah: 3 (1 ward, 2 party). African Independent Congress: 2 (0 ward, 2 party). African Heart Congress: 1 (0 ward, 1 party). African People's Convention: 1 (0 ward, 1 party). African Transformation Movement: 1 (0 ward, 1 party). Congress of the People: 1 (0 ward, 1 party). GOOD: 1 (0 ward, 1 party). Pan Africanist Congress of Azania: 1 (0 ward, 1 party). United Democratic Movement: 1 (0 ward, 1 party). United Independent Movement: 1 (0 ward, 1 party).
Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). Published 24 June 2026.
Where to look: winning party per ward for every by-election since 2021 (dashboard data files: MapsJason/2021/ByElections.js and LoadCouncillorsService); read 2026-10-18
Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). Published 9 November 2021.
Where to look: ward councillor rows for this council (party per ward elected in 2021)
The seats now
Who holds the 270 seats now, counted up to 24 Jun 2026. How we count: This is our own count, not an official IEC table. We start with the 2021 party seats from the IEC. Then we add the party that last won each ward, in 2021 or in a by-election. Party seats stay with their party, and councillors can't switch parties. So only ward by-elections change these totals. An empty seat is counted with the party that last held it. The IEC lists by-elections on 5 Oct 2022, but it does not show who won them. So any ward that changed hands that day is not counted.
Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). Published 24 June 2026.
Where to look: winning party per ward for every by-election since 2021 (dashboard data files: MapsJason/2021/ByElections.js and LoadCouncillorsService); read 2026-10-18
Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). Published 9 November 2021.
Where to look: ward councillor rows for this council (party per ward elected in 2021)
What the official records say
Audit result
The Auditor-General gave the City of Johannesburg a qualified audit opinion for 2024-25. That is worse than in 2023-24, when it got an unqualified opinion with findings.
Auditor-General of South Africa. Published 24 June 2026.
Where to look: 'Audit outcome for 2024-25' box and the change from 2023-24 under it (audit of separate financial statements, finalised by 30 April 2026)
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