The Democratic Alliance (DA) has written to the Gauteng MEC for COGTA calling for an urgent investigation into allegations that politicians, including Executive Mayor Dada Morero and MMC for Group Corporate and Shared Services, Sthembiso Zungu, are exerting political pressure in the City of Johannesburg over the proposed R10 billion SAMWU deal.
The DA has been reliably informed that Mayor Morero allegedly met with SAMWU leaders at Luthuli House and encouraged them to demand the withdrawal of disciplinary letters issued after the hostage incident involving the Group Chief Financial Officer and the City Manager.
He is also alleged to have assured SAMWU that the ANC would ensure employees receive the Politically Facilitated Agreement before local government elections in November 2026, despite warnings that Johannesburg cannot afford it.
We are further concerned that MMC Zungu met with SAMWU representatives while Council was sitting last week and publicised the meeting on social media, raising serious questions about political interference in contentious labour matters.
These allegations come as SAMWU continues to demand an alleged R10 billion payment from the City. If true, they point to political pressure being applied to secure an unaffordable deal that could collapse the City of Johannesburg’s finances.
We will not stand by while the City’s administration and financial stability are put at risk at the expense of services to residents. The DA is considering all available avenues, including requests for investigations by law enforcement authorities into possible breaches of municipal law and the Constitution.
It is for this reason that residents must ensure that on 4 November 2026 they register to vote DA to stop the rot and get the City working for all.