SOWETO, Gauteng — The African National Congress (ANC) has formally reprimanded Johannesburg Executive Mayor Dada Morero following a widely circulated video of his heated outburst, a disciplinary measure confirmed by ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa as he launched the party’s election push in Soweto.
The controversy stems from a community engagement in Pasong where Morero lost his temper and exchanged foul language with a local resident who had labeled him a “criminal.” Addressing the fallout, Ramaphosa stated that the national leadership found the mayor’s utterances completely unacceptable and detrimental to the party’s image. However, he noted that Morero has since issued a public apology, which the party’s leadership has formally accepted.
Ramaphosa dismissed suggestions that the party’s response was mere damage control. He highlighted that during his campaign kickoff—which included addressing pressing electricity challenges in Tshepisong—local residents did not bring up the mayor’s outburst. Instead, community members were focused on service delivery, urging the party to elect capable councilors who will effectively execute the ANC manifesto.
As the party prepares its candidate lists for the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), Ramaphosa laid down strict, non-negotiable vetting criteria. Individuals with criminal records or those lacking the required educational qualifications, such as a matric certificate, are automatically excluded. “There is no debate, there’s no issue,” Ramaphosa affirmed, explaining that those who fall short will simply be informed they have not met the necessary standards.
The ANC President also clarified that the party’s mayoral and councilor candidates will not be rushed to publication. Pushing back against external pressures to align with rival political organizations, Ramaphosa emphasized that the ANC will not be dictated by the timelines of others. “We are not a copycat organization,” he declared, urging observers to respect the party’s originality as they head into the polls.
Beyond domestic politics, Ramaphosa leveraged his platform as head of state to address a global tragedy, extending heartfelt condolences to Nepal following catastrophic floods. Describing the disaster as devastating after seeing standing houses washed away on television, he confirmed that the South African embassy is actively working to identify and assist any South African citizens caught in the crisis. He further pledged that South Africa stands ready to provide whatever assistance is needed to the Nepalese government and its people in the wake of the disaster, which has claimed numerous lives.
Following the Soweto launch, the ANC President’s campaign trail continues with a rigorous two-day schedule covering Johannesburg and an additional 20 municipalities.
