Morero Deploys ‘Bomb Squad’ to Address CoJ’s ‘Most Urgent Challenges’

In a bold initiative to rejuvenate Johannesburg, Mayor Dada Morero has introduced an influential implementation task force termed the “bomb squad”.

“In military parlance, a bomb squad’s responsibility is to evaluate and neutralize discovered explosives to prevent detonation. This CoJ [City of Johannesburg] Bomb Squad is aimed at removing barriers obstructing our vision for Joburg,” declares Morero.

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The bomb squad’s initial mission, part of the Presidential Support Package aimed at comprehensive turnaround strategies, will concentrate on dismantling systemic hurdles that hinder service delivery and growth, according to the mayor.

Dr. Snuki Joseph Zikalala, 73, has been appointed to lead the squad.

Zikalala serves as the president of the ANC Veterans’ League and previously held the position of managing director of news and current affairs at the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC).

The squad is anticipated to begin operations in June 2025.

‘Immediate action necessary to confront challenges’

Morero extensively covered the current situation of the CoJ, designating it as a crisis.

“We require urgent measures to tackle our challenges. We must act in innovative ways to produce transformative outcomes. Unlike the Covid-19 pandemic, our circumstance cannot be deemed a new normal.”

As part of his revitalization strategy, Zikalala aims to take firm action against issues afflicting Johannesburg, including resolving potholes, illegal electricity connections, land invasions, illegal mining, rampant littering, and the influx of undocumented migrants.

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In 2020, the fact-checking organization Africa Check highlighted that Johannesburg had around 100,000 potholes, underscoring the critical state of the city’s road infrastructure and the pressing need for pothole rectification.

Meanwhile, Eskom reported substantial losses stemming from illegal electricity connections. In the 2022/23 fiscal year, Eskom faced approximately R5 billion in non-technical losses due to illegal connections, meter bypasses, and other power-related criminal activities within its service territory.

The city’s financial condition

To ensure the turnaround plan’s success, Morero emphasizes the prompt formation of an economic task force as part of the Presidential Support Package.

This team will develop strategies intended to achieve an average GDP growth rate of 3% over the next five years.

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According to a 2020 city profile from the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Johannesburg accounts for 16.5% of the national economy and employs 12% of the national workforce.

“The city’s financial stability is uncertain, necessitating a significant revamp of our financial management and revenue generation practices. Our approach to revenue collection will be overhauled to improve the city’s liquidity and ensure long-term financial sustainability,” notes Morero.

According to the CoJ’s integrated report for the 2023/24 financial year, the revenue collection rate was 86.7%, slightly under the 87.3% target established for the year.

“We will rigorously collect revenue from those who can pay,” asserts Morero.

Last year, the CoJ announced plans to potentially blacklist thousands of defaulting property owners and businesses to recover over R40 billion in municipal debt. Additionally, the CoJ and City Power owe Eskom R4.9 billion.

“We must enforce financial discipline to ensure proactive management of our income and expenses, thereby maximizing the value of every rand spent,” he emphasized.

Read: CoJ faces renewed risk of power cuts as Eskom debt dispute reemerges

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