After abstaining from no-confidence vote, ActionSA says 'the problem is Dada Morero and not the ANC'

JOHANNESBURG - ActionSA said that its decision to abstain from the vote of no confidence in Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero was a protest against his poor leadership and has nothing to do with the African National Congress (ANC).

Morero survived the no-confidence vote on Wednesday, which was brought to council by the Democratic Alliance (DA). 

Despite ActionSA's case-by-case relationship with the ANC in the metro, the party still refused to vote in favour of keeping Morero in office.

ActionSA made this decision because it claimed that Morero had been making decisions independently, without consulting the two organisations involved in their partnership.

ActionSA national chairperson, Michael Beaumont, said that the party had no issues with the ANC, but had serious concerns about Morero.

"We have conveyed to the ANC that we believe that the problem is Dada Morero and not the ANC. We are working with the ANC very well in the City of Tshwane, where we are in coalition."

Beaumont said that ActionSA's decision to abstain from the vote of no confidence in Morero did not signal the end of its relationship with the ANC in the city.

"We have been at pains to point out to the ANC that this is not an act of hostility against the party, it’s simply the fact that ActionSA cannot vote to defend this mayor."

However, following ActionSA's refusal to defend Morero, the ANC voted in support of a motion of no confidence against ActionSA councillor and former Speaker, Nobuhle Tembe on Wednesday.