​​In an impressive display of progress aimed at improving citizens' lives, Executive Mayor Cllr Dada Morero shared the work of the City's “Bomb Squad" in his 2026 State of the City Address. This multi-disciplinary team has successfully resolved an impressive 86% of service delivery escalations in six weeks, demonstrating a commitment to efficiency. Over this period, 724 service delivery cases were processed through a coordinated effort involving over eight municipal entities including City Power, Joburg Roads Agency, Joburg Water, and Pikitup.

Mayor Morero highlighted the significance of teamwork and swift action in his address: “We are witnessing the power of our collaborative approach. The Bomb Squad is not just a name; it's a commitment to rapid problem-solving and effective service delivery."

He illustrated how the initiative achieved remarkable response times during critical water crises in July 2025 and January 2026. These emergencies saw sub-minute escalations that prompted immediate actions, resulting in same-day service restorations for numerous outages. “Every moment counts when our residents are affected. Our goal is to ensure they receive the help they need as quickly as possible," he asserted.
“The Bomb Squad has played a role in enhancing by-law enforcement, as evidenced by improved cleanliness and safety on De Villiers Street, reflecting the City's commitment to creating a safer environment for both residents and visitors. Collaboration with local businesses and property owners has fostered a sense of community ownership, leading to improved inner city precincts. The successful hosting of the G20 Summit highlights the city's capability in managing large-scale events, further strengthening its global profile."

Morero remarked on the significance of these efforts, saying: “We can confidently say that the Bomb Squad's innovative and agile approach is revolutionising our service delivery processes. We are committed to improving every citizen's quality of life and ensuring they feel safe and secure in their neighbourhoods."

However, he also candidly acknowledged that not all goals have been reached, particularly concerning the social and community capital strategy, humorously noting, “As my children would say, this one is 'eish.'"

“However, the Bomb Squad represents a shift in the City's service delivery, with full-cycle closures now taking hours instead of days, stressing the need for collaboration among local government, businesses, and community members to revitalise the Inner-City precincts," he said.

Written by Tinyiko Barbara Ngobeni
21/05/2026

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