In a major initiative to rejuvenate Johannesburg, Mayor Dada Morero has introduced a powerful implementation task force referred to as the “bomb squad.”

“In military terminology, a bomb squad’s responsibility is to examine and neutralize any identified explosives to prevent detonation. This CoJ [City of Johannesburg] Bomb Squad aims to clear away obstacles that prevent us from building the Joburg we envision,” states Morero.

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Under the initial mission of the Presidential Support Package – intended to implement comprehensive turnaround strategies – the bomb squad will concentrate on dismantling systemic barriers affecting service delivery and development, according to the mayor.

Dr. Snuki Joseph Zikalala, 73, will head the squad.

Zikalala is the president of the ANC Veterans’ League and a former managing director of news and current affairs at the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC).

The bomb squad is slated to begin operations in June 2025.

‘Immediate action is essential to confront challenges’

Morero extensively addressed the current situation in the CoJ, describing it as a crisis.

“We need immediate action to tackle our challenges. We must act in innovative ways to achieve transformative results. Unlike the Covid-19 pandemic, our situation cannot be labeled as a new normal.”

As part of his turnaround strategy, Zikalala is prepared to take bold steps to resolve issues affecting Johannesburg. His focus includes addressing potholes, illegal electricity connections, land invasions, illegal mining, widespread littering, and the influx of undocumented migrants.

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In 2020, the fact-checking organization Africa Check revealed that Johannesburg faced approximately 100,000 potholes, showcasing the critical state of the city’s deteriorating road infrastructure and the urgent need for action.

Meanwhile, Eskom has reported heavy losses due to illegal electricity connections. In the 2022/23 fiscal year, Eskom experienced around R5 billion in non-technical losses owing to illegal connections, meter bypasses, and other power-related criminal activities within its service area.

The city’s financial status

To ensure the success of the turnaround plan, Morero highlights the immediate formation of an economic task group within the Presidential Support Package.

This team will concentrate on strategies aimed at achieving an average GDP growth rate of 3% over the next five years.

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According to a 2020 city profile from the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Johannesburg contributes 16.5% to the national economy and employs 12% of the national workforce.

“The city’s financial health is tenuous, necessitating a significant overhaul in our financial management and revenue generation practices. We will revamp our approach to revenue collection to improve the city’s liquidity and ensure financial sustainability,” remarks Morero.

According to the CoJ’s integrated report for the 2023/24 financial year, revenue collection stood at 86.7%, slightly below the 87.3% target set for the year.

“We will diligently collect revenue from those who are able to pay,” states Morero.

Last year, the CoJ indicated it would potentially blacklist thousands of defaulting residential property owners and businesses to recover over R40 billion in municipal debt. Additionally, the CoJ and City Power owe Eskom R4.9 billion.

“We must enforce financial discipline to promote proactive management of our income and expenditures, ensuring we maximize the value of every rand spent,” he added.

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