Zille slams ANC over Joburg collapse, unveils five priority rescue plan [VIDEO]

Democratic Alliance Mayoral candidate for Johannesburg, Helen Zille delivers manifesto address at Johannesburg City Hall, 7 March2026, and her priorities and policies if elected to become Johannesburg’s next Mayor. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The Citizen DA federal leader and City of Johannesburg mayoral candidate Helen Zille says the ANC is “running Joburg like a party that knows the future is somebody else’s problem.” Zille launched the party’s manifesto at Johannesburg City Hall on Saturday, as the country prepares for the Local Government Elections later this year. Johannesburg, South Africa’s economic powerhouse and self-styled “World-class African City,” is facing a crippling governance crisis.

The basic infrastructure of urban life is failing with a deepening water crisis, potholes, traffic lights and street lights no longer working across vast areas of the city, leaving whole neighbourhoods in darkness. Zille says the current government “does not care for the people.” “The ANC is running Joburg like a party that knows the future is somebody else’s problem. Someone else must always clean up their mess and their partners as well.

Look at Kenny Kunene, who is responsible for fixing Joburg’s roads. “Because even the ANC knows what we know. If Joburg fails, South Africa fails.

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But if we can get Joburg working, we can get South Africa working. The President acknowledged the problem. But he stopped there.

We will not stop there,” Zille said. Zille said It will take “all of us working together to get Joburg working.” “We pledge to be a professional, modern government and build a city that you all can be proud of. A government that cares about everyone, a government that you can trust.

“We will hire competent professionals and reward good performance. We will not tolerate poor performance and laziness. We want results,” Zille said.

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