WATCH | Helen Zille issues STARK warning to Joburg voters

Democratic Alliance (DA) Johannesburg mayoral candidate Helen Zille has warned that voters who stay away from the polls on 4 November risk giving those she accuses of corruption another five years in power.

Zille delivered the warning at the DA’s final national election rally in Mamelodi, Tshwane, on Saturday, 31 October.

Zille’s message to frustrated Joburg voters

She urged registered voters frustrated by failing municipal services to cast their ballots rather than boycott the elections.

“You have every reason to be angry,” she told supporters.

Zille argued that staying home would reward the very politicians voters wanted to hold accountable.

“You will be giving them another five years to loot,” she warned.

She said Johannesburg could not afford another five years of failed governance.

LGE 2026 | DA Johannesburg mayoral candidate Helen Zille says residents have every reason to be concerned about poor service delivery, adding that the party is committed to addressing these challenges. She was speaking at the DA's election campaign rally in Mamelodi. pic.twitter.com/S10dypkueC

— SABC News (@SABCNews)

October 31, 2026

Zille’s FIVE promises for Joburg

The warning comes nearly eight months after Zille unveiled her five-point plan to turn Johannesburg around.

The DA mayoral candidate has pledged to restore reliable water and electricity supplies, repair roads, attract 200 000 jobs, tackle corruption and professionalise the city’s administration.

Her plan includes fixing potholes within 72 hours and ensuring 95% of traffic lights work.

Zille has also promised to ring-fence revenue collected from water and electricity to maintain and upgrade infrastructure.

The DA wants to reclaim hijacked buildings, remove corrupt officials and improve the city’s billing system.

final push before elections

Johannesburg remains a key battleground ahead of Wednesday’s local government elections, following years of unstable coalition governments and service delivery problems.

Zille is campaigning to become mayor of South Africa’s economic hub, where water outages, deteriorating roads and failing infrastructure have dominated the election debate.

Approved special voters will cast their ballots on Monday, 2 November, and Tuesday, 3 November.

The general election takes place on Wednesday, 4 November.