Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero has strongly defended the city’s controversial Bomb Squad initiative, dismissing recent criticisms from Rise Mzansi and the Democratic Alliance (DA) as misleading and politically opportunistic.
Both opposition parties recently slammed the Bomb Squad and Presidential Works Groups, claiming the initiatives had failed to improve service delivery. Rise Mzansi went further, accusing city leadership of deliberate neglect and only responding to issues when foreign dignitaries are expected.
Morero, however, hit back, insisting the remarks undermine the work of “dedicated professionals” trying to rebuild the city.
“Claims that these initiatives are ineffective are not only false but also an affront to the hard work being done,” he said in a statement. “Since its inception, the Bomb Squad has resolved over 1,200 service delivery hotspots across priority regions, tackling pothole repairs, water leak closures, and illegal dumping sites.”
According to Morero, the deployment of the Bomb Squad has led to a 36% improvement in turnaround time for critical faults. “Our data demonstrates a marked improvement,” he added.
Rise Mzansi, in its criticism earlier this week, argued that the “decay of Johannesburg is not an accident,” blaming what it called “uncaring and negligent politicians” and a city council too distracted to hold the executive to account.
“Service delivery cannot be switched on only when foreign dignitaries visit; it must be the daily reality for ratepayers and residents who keep this city afloat,” the party said.
The DA echoed similar concerns, saying residents need “tangible progress, not just a talkshop.”
In response, Morero maintained that his administration is committed to improving service delivery, stabilising the city’s finances, and restoring Johannesburg’s dignity.
He also clarified the purpose behind the Bomb Squad, describing it as a “military-style” response team that uses proactive intelligence gathering to combat crime, land invasions, and service delivery failures.
“Our mandate is clear,” Morero concluded. “We are building a city residents can be proud of.”
