JOHANNESBURG — Democratic Alliance Johannesburg mayoral candidate Helen Zille urged all registered voters to participate in the November 4 local government elections, arguing that abstaining would reward rather than punish those responsible for poor municipal governance.
Speaking at the party's final election rally in Mamelodi on Saturday morning, Zille acknowledged that residents have 'every reason to be angry' about ongoing service delivery failures but stressed that staying home would not achieve the desired effect.
"You have every reason to be angry. But listen carefully, if you stay at home on election, you won't be punishing Amasela [criminals], you will be rewarding them. You will be giving them another five years to loot and Joburg cannot afford another five years of failure. It will be too late then," Zille said.
South Africans will head to the polls next Wednesday, while those approved for special votes are expected to cast their ballots on Monday and Tuesday.
Zille's appeal came as the DA positions her as an experienced administrator who can bring financial discipline and reliable services to Johannesburg, a city facing severe infrastructure problems and years of political instability. The Nov. 4 local government elections will test whether the DA can turn the ANC's decline into a credible campaign for the province in 2029.
While Zille has been a polarising public figure including controversial comments about colonialism and race, her campaign frames the election as a critical opportunity to prevent another five years of municipal failure in Johannesburg. The DA argues that competent administration provides a foundation for addressing the metro's particular challenges, including severe inequalities between neighbourhoods and ongoing infrastructure crises.
