‘A very sad indictment’: How Morero chooses his MMCs

Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero. Picture: X / @GovernanceClus1 Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero has revealed the considerations taken into account when appointing MMCs in the city. The mayor was challenged on the competence of his MMC, responding that they were selected for political nous rather than expertise.

Morero was answering questions following a presentation by city officials to the standing committee on public accounts on remedial action taken with regard to findings by the Auditor-General of South Africa. Committee member, ActionSA’s Alan Beesley, stated his belief that several appointments inJohannesburg’s financial leadershipwere “particularly weak”, with Morero disagreeing with the “political perceptions” expressed. Morero explained that his MMC’s were “not necessarily experts in that particular field”, but were chosen for their political skill.

“Political parties appoint leadership on the basis of the ability politically to deal with the matters that affects the city. “And their responsibility once they are appointed is for them to learn and to improve and gather information on what is required of the portfolio. “If we want chartered accountants to be MMCs of Finance, it would mean we’ll have problems in the future.

[paywall]

“Secondly, they have a group of competent experts and professionals in that field to support them,” said Morero. “If you’ve got someone who has to learn on the job, whether a minister or MMC, it’s a very sad indictment on what you just said,” replied Beesley.

[/paywall]