Newly Appointed Johannesburg Deputy Mayor Defends Her Position, Residents Laugh

• The City of Johannesburg’s new deputy mayor, Loyiso Masuku, discussed her new position and plans for the city
• She spoke a week after she was appointed to the position, following a decision to create the position
• South Africans questioned the need for a deputy mayor, and some were not moved by her promises

With over seven years at Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News, Tebogo Mokwena, a Briefly News current affairs journalist, offered insights into South African politics, national, provincial, and local governance, the Government of National Unity, political parties, and Parliament.

JOHANNESBURG — The City of Johannesburg’s deputy mayor, Loyiso Masuku, defended her position as criticism aimed at her appointment mounted.

Speaking to Newzroom Afrika, Masuku responded to questions about whether R10 million would be spent to create an office space for her. She was also asked about whether her salary would increase from that of a Member of the Mayoral Committee to a Deputy Mayor.

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Masuku defends her position

The former MMC of Finance said that the allegations of a R10 million office space were not true. She added that the Deputy Executive Mayor continues to be the MMC of Finance. Masuku pointed out that the staff complement will remain the same.

“The office establishment that the MMC of Finance occupied will continue. The Deputy Executive Mayor’s role continues with all the packages in line with the upper limits as determined by the Minister of COGTA (Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs),” she added.

View the video on X here:

Masuku was elected unopposed during council proceedings on 26 February 2026. Her position as the MMC was dissolved, and its responsibilities were absorbed into the deputy mayor’s office. Masuku’s appointment came as Mayor Dada Morero faced a motion of no-confidence. He survived his previous motion after the African National Congress involved rule18 of the Council’s Standing Rules and Orders and secured a secret ballot.

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South Africans blast Masuku

Masuku’s explanations on X did not impress South Africa.

Lesiba said:

“Politicians are busy creating positions for them to eat.”

Sika asked:

“What powers does she have?”

Beyond remarked:

“ She failed and is still failing as the MMC.”

Cassiday Rangata joked:

“Maybe she’ll enter into an MOU with the province for some gains in the Gautrain handover.”

Mpho asked:

“Is she making sure that revenue collection per month is as close to 100% as possible right now since she’s the Finance MMC?” What percentage of the budget is actually going towards infrastructure so that these problems eventually become a thing of the past?”

3 Briefly News articles about the City of Johannesburg

• The African National Congress’s Secretary General, Fikile Mbaula, said that the party would not abandon its coalition partners. He spoke as the City’s Executive Mayor, Dada Morero, faced a motion of no confidence.
• The City’s MMC for Transport, Kenny Kunene, slammed Morero and accused him of lacking leadership skills. He accused Morero of not being able to work with people and not appreciating the ANC’s coalition partners.
• Morero faced social backlash when he made an observation about hijacked buildings in the City of Johannesburg. He noted that criminal syndicates were behind the City’s 200 hijacked buildings.

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Source: Briefly News