The battle for Johannesburg has left City Hall and moved to the timeline.
Mayor Dada Morero and former mayor Herman Mashaba went toe-to-toe on social media this week in a no-holds-barred face-off that dragged up old scandals, secret appointments and that dreaded word in Joburg politics – delusion.
It started with Mashaba taking a swipe.
“It is unfortunate that Dada Morero permanently lives in his delusional world,” Mashaba posted.
Morero did not let it slide. The current mayor hit back with both barrels, dusting off two controversies that have haunted Mashaba since his time as mayor.
“While we are on facts, let us talk about the Field Band R11 million saga. That matter was investigated by the Public Protector, and your actions were found wanting. You have never accounted for it to the people of this city,” Morero posted.
He was referring to the long-running saga around the Field Band Foundation funding during Mashaba’s tenure. The Public Protector investigated the matter after allegations that the City under Mashaba had irregularly diverted money meant for the youth music development programme. Mashaba has always denied wrongdoing, but the report found administrative failures on the City’s part – a finding Morero is now weaponising.
Then Morero went for the jugular: the appointment of Shadrack Sibiya.
“Then there is the appointment of Shadrack Sibiya. Why was it never brought to council for a decision? Instead, he was irregularly appointed with your guidance throughout. Council is where accountability lives, and you bypassed it,” he wrote.
Sibiya, the former top cop whose appointment as head of the City’s Group Forensic and Investigation Services under Mashaba sparked a political storm, has been a sore point for years. The ANC has long argued his appointment was irregular and politically motivated to target opponents. Mashaba has insisted he was brought in to clean up corruption.
Morero said Mashaba has never answered for it.
“You still have not answered these questions. If you believe your version, debate me in public and bring your facts. I will bring mine. The only delusion here is your standpoint,” Morero posted, throwing down the gauntlet for a public debate.
This is Joburg politics at its most entertaining – and most predictable.
Mashaba, the businessman turned mayor turned ActionSA president, has been positioning himself as the man who can fix the city he once ran from 2016 to 2019. Morero, the ANC’s man in the hot seat since 2024 after a revolving door of mayors, is fighting to keep the City from slipping out of his party’s hands ahead of the 4 November local government elections.
Both men know Joburg loves a showdown.
Mashaba’s style is blunt businessman: call the ANC corrupt, call the current mayor clueless, promise to run Joburg like a company. Morero’s style is street fighter: remind everyone what Mashaba did, dare him to a debate, accuse him of living in denial while the City burns.
On social media, residents ate it up. Comments flew.
Some cheered Morero for finally punching back.
Others told him to fix potholes instead of posting. Mashaba’s supporters called Morero’s administration a disaster and demanded he account for water cuts, power failures and the R2 billion in unauthorised expenditure flagged by the Auditor-General.