The Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC) has strongly denied any external influence, particularly from its ally, the ANC, in its decision to support Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero.
This denial comes as a motion of no confidence against Morero casts a shadow over the city’s political landscape.
The PAC, which is part of the newly Progressive Caucus, asserts its independent stance, emphasising a commitment to ethical governance and stability in the City of Johannesburg.
This latest challenge to Morero’s leadership comes just four months after a similar attempt, placing the stability of the ANC-led government under pressure.
While Morero has remained silent on the matter, the ANC’s Greater Johannesburg Region coordinator, Sasabona Manganye, has defended the mayor, dismissing the motion as a “desperate and opportunistic attempt by fringe political actors”.
However, it is the PAC’s resolute dismissal of any backroom dealings that has taken centre stage amidst the political jostling.
PAC Secretary General Apa Pooe said the decision of the PAC to be part of the Joburg Progressive Caucus was taken independently and in full alignment with their organisational principles.
Pooe further elaborated, highlighting the PAC’s autonomy.
“The PAC does not take instructions from any political party, including the ANC, and our participation is guided solely by what best serves the people of Johannesburg and the principles of ethical governance, accountability, and stability.”
This statement directly addresses any speculation that the PAC’s support for Morero is a directive from the ANC, an ally in the Government of Local Unity (GLU).
The Progressive Caucus itself, comprising the PAC and five other minority parties — the African Independent Congress (AIC), African People’s Convention (APC), United Independent Movement (UIM), GOOD Party, and the Congress of the People (COPE) — was formed out of a previous coalition due to “differences in values and approach”.
This collective decision, formally communicated on October 18, 2025, predates the current political turmoil.
“The Progressive Caucus was formed after the PAC and five other minority parties withdrew from a previous coalition due to differences in values and approach,” Pooe explained.
“Our collective decision was formally communicated on October 18, 2025, long before the current debates. The PAC joined this platform to ensure that minority parties have a coordinated, principled voice in Council — one that resists manipulation and prioritises service delivery over political expediency.
“In short, this was our sovereign decision, made in the best interest of the people we represent and the stability of the City of Johannesburg.”
During a media briefing on Thursday, the Caucus said they were not part of the motion of no confidence against Morero and had formally withdrawn from the minority governing coalition that included Al Jama-ah, ATM, UDM, and AHC.
“We do not support or associate ourselves with any political processes or actions led by those parties… This position was formally communicated in writing through correspondence dated October 18, 2025,” the group said.
The motion of no confidence itself was formally submitted to Johannesburg City Council Speaker Margaret Arnolds by the Minority Governing Parties (MGP), a grouping of 10 smaller parties that were previously part of the ANC-led coalition government.
The MGP argues that their motion is not aimed at the ANC but rather at “restoring accountability and lawful governance” to the city.
The ANC in the Greater Johannesburg Region maintains a different perspective.
Manganye strongly condemned the motion as “nothing more than a desperate and opportunistic attempt by fringe political actors seeking relevance at the expense of service delivery and stability”.
Political analyst Metjie Makgoba suggests that while the current motion of no confidence presents a challenge, its success is not guaranteed.
“The Progressive Caucus’s clear stance against the motion, coupled with the ANC’s strong defense of Morero, indicates a united front among a significant portion of the council,” Makgoba said.
“However, the Minority Governing Parties’ grievances regarding governance and alleged centralisation of power resonate with broader concerns about accountability. The outcome will likely hinge on whether the MGP can sway other unaligned parties or expose further vulnerabilities in Morero’s administration. Regardless of the immediate outcome, this episode highlights the persistent fragility of coalition governments in Johannesburg and the ongoing struggle for political stability and effective service delivery.”
