“Completely Unacceptable”: Ramaphosa Calls Out Dada Morero Over Swearing Incident

• ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa publicly criticised Joburg Mayor Dada Morero over a swearing incident at a Tshepisong service delivery imbizo
• Morero directed profanity at a resident who accused him of being a criminal during last week's community meeting
• The incident drew sharp criticism from opposition parties as local election campaigning heats up ahead of November

SOUTH AFRICA - ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa has weighed in on Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero's conduct at a recent community meeting, calling his behaviour completely unacceptable.

Morero swore at a resident during a service delivery imbizo in Tshepisong last week after the resident accused him of being a criminal. The mayor subsequently issued a public apology for the outburst.

Ramaphosa weighs in on the controversy

Ramaphosa acknowledged the apology but made clear the party did not condone what was said.

"Our mayor did say an utterance that we find completely unacceptable, but he has gone public and apologised, and we as the ANC have taken him up on that and I hope our people will be able to accept the apology," he said.

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The ANC president framed the episode as a reminder that those in leadership must remain humble. He said that in any campaign, missteps are inevitable, but what matters is the willingness to admit fault.

"We are people and we will always make mistakes but we move on," he said.

Criticism mounts ahead of November local elections

The Tshepisong incident has given opposition parties fresh ammunition as political campaigning intensifies ahead of the November local government elections. Several parties used the moment to question the ANC's approach to community engagement and accountability.

The backlash spread quickly on social media, with many South Africans expressing scepticism about whether an apology was enough.

View video of Ramaphosa here:

Mzansi reacts to Ramaphosa's utterances

South Africans on X had plenty to say:

@CSesoko19033 wrote:

"Own up to that unilateral apology and live with its consequences... I didn't hear the resident accept the apology."

@PC7nt6rpmjp said:

"That is the kind of response we're getting from ANC councillors in our communities when we complain about service delivery. It's not the first time. They speak to the people the way they feel!"

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@sSslik commented:

"Probably going to set up another commission to investigate it."

@uHlubi_lomuhle added:

"Should it matter anymore? U Dada was just being himself."

@PhutiSebetha_za challenged:

"Let him fire Mchunu if he's a serious leader."

ANC slams Dada Morero's comments

Briefly News also reported that the African National Congress Greater Johannesburg Region has formally distanced itself from Mayor Dada Morero’s comments, following a heated confrontation with an elderly resident. Morero’s actions have been described by the ANC as incompatible with the movement's values.In a statement released on Thursday night, the regional ANC acknowledged Morero's subsequent public apology but made clear it was not sufficient to excuse the behaviour.

Source: Briefly News