Gauteng provincial legislature Member of Parliament (MP) Vuyiswa Ramokgopa did not mince her words in a strongly worded letter to Executive Mayor Dada Morero, demanding an urgent meeting to address what she describes as escalating service delivery failures across Johannesburg.

The Rise Mzansi MP’s correspondence follows multiple oversight visits and engagements with residents and the business community, who have raised mounting concerns over deteriorating conditions in the city.

Read more: Clay Oven man dies in pool of blood as authorities are accused of neglect

Ramokgopa said the tipping point came on the evening of August 25, when residents of Ginger Farm and Clay Oven informal settlements in Paulshof took to the streets in protest.
The demonstrations, which saw roads barricaded and fires lit, were triggered by allegations that the body of a deceased man lay uncollected for hours, leaving residents and motorists stranded and fearful.

In her letter, Ramokgopa directly called out Morero, warning that such scenes: “Erode trust in the city and highlight the urgent need for a coordinated response to the underlying challenges that fuel these tensions.”

She pressed for updates on interventions in informal settlements, particularly regarding safety and health hazards, and stressed the need to rebuild trust between the city, residents, and the business community.
She also urged the mayor to reinforce Johannesburg’s commitment to being a caring and responsive city, and to explore proactive solutions for improving inter-governmental co-ordination and accountability.

Read more: Protest action reported at Clay Oven

Ramokgopa said that these issues echo concerns raised in the Premier’s State of the Province Address, which flagged illegal informal settlements, water shortages, crumbling infrastructure, and the revitalisation of Johannesburg’s CBD as priority challenges. “These are not abstract problems; they are lived daily by Johannesburg residents, and demand a joint, results-driven effort between provincial and municipal leadership.”

Read more: MEC Ramokgopa meets Lonehill residents over Clay Oven and Ginger Park informal settlements

The MP urged the mayor’s office to provide a definitive date and time for the meeting, emphasising that her team remains fully flexible to accommodate his schedule. “Johannesburg residents deserve decisive leadership. We look forward to a constructive engagement that prioritises their needs.”

Khathutshelo Mulaudzi, acting director of mayoral communications, acknowledged the receipt of our query when contacted for comment about the letter from Ramokgopa. She said she will check with relevant bodies for comment and revert. We await her reply and will publish it when it’s made available.

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