Dada’s ‘Bomb Squad’ Making Sandton Safer, Say Police

The Johannesburg Metro Police have reported improved public safety in Sandton following the launch of Mayor Dada Morero’s high-level service delivery task team, commonly referred to as the “bomb squad.”

While the name may suggest an explosive response unit, the bomb squad is a team of seasoned public servants and veteran administrators brought together to address Johannesburg’s service delivery failures.

It is led by ANC stalwart Snuki Zikalala and has already been credited with improving coordination between municipal departments, particularly in areas like Sandton that have recently seen repeated service disruptions and public safety scares.

Captain Lerato Mokoena of the Sandton Police said there has been a notable drop in public safety alerts and no bomb-related hoaxes or emergency evacuations since the task team’s formation.“In recent months, we dealt with multiple suspicious package reports and emergency alerts that caused unnecessary panic and operational strain,” Mokoena explained.

“Since the mayor’s announcement of the task team, we’ve had no such incidents. The communication between departments has been quicker, and there’s been better coordination when dealing with public concerns.”

Mayor Morero unveiled the bomb squad last Thursday during a press conference in Soweto. He said Johannesburg was facing a crisis of basic governance and that the task team was created to defuse the ticking time bomb of poor service delivery, slow response times, and systemic mismanagement.

“These individuals have deep experience and institutional knowledge,” said Morero. “We don’t have the luxury of time. The city needs immediate intervention, and this is what the bomb squad is here to deliver.

”The team includes former senior officials, administrators, and technical experts from across the public sector. Zikalala, who has a long history in public broadcasting and governance, is reportedly meeting daily with city managers to fast-track solutions to urgent problems.

Sandton was prioritised due to its importance as a financial hub, its dense population, and growing frustration among residents.

Over the past several months, the area has seen rolling blackouts, delayed water restoration, and long emergency response delays — all of which have put strain on residents and local businesses.

Since the squad’s formation, local ward councillors say early signs of improvement are evident. Ward Councillor Thabo Ndlovu said complaints about service breakdowns have decreased in the last week.“We have a long way to go, but there’s more urgency from city departments now,” said Ndlovu.

“If the team maintains this pace, it could bring real change.”

Some residents remain sceptical, especially given the political makeup of the task team, but others say they’re more interested in results than politics.

“I don’t care if it’s called the bomb squad or the cleanup crew,” said Sandton resident Nomsa Mahlangu.

“As long as they fix our power, water, and keep the streets safe, that’s what matters.”

City officials say the bomb squad is in the process of drafting a 90-day emergency action plan, with progress reports expected every two weeks.

While critics warn that the team must not become another expensive advisory body with no real authority, supporters argue that the city finally has a structure in place that can respond with speed and accountability.

Zikalala has yet to comment publicly, but insiders say his immediate focus is improving the delivery chain for electricity, water, waste removal, and emergency response services — all within the first phase of the team’s work.

Whether this squad can sustain momentum remains to be seen, but for now, at least in Sandton, residents say things already feel a little safer.