Malema Warns Soweto Residents About Life Under A DA-Led Johannesburg

EFF president Julius Malema has warned that residents of Soweto could face greater financial pressure if the Democratic Alliance (DA) takes the lead in governing Johannesburg, particularly over unpaid municipal bills and property-related charges.

Speaking to journalists at the Electoral Commission of South Africa’s Results Operations Centre in Midrand on Saturday, November 7, Malema criticised what he described as the DA’s uncompromising approach to collecting payments for water and electricity.

He argued that households already struggling financially might find it difficult to cope with a DA-led administration, which he believes would insist that residents pay for services regardless of their economic circumstances.

Malema specifically referred to Helen Zille, the DA’s Johannesburg mayoral candidate, suggesting that her approach to municipal revenue collection and property valuations could increase the burden on ordinary homeowners.

He also warned that rising property valuations could lead to higher municipal rates and taxes. His remarks were political criticism of the DA’s approach rather than an announcement of any confirmed changes to Johannesburg’s billing system.

The EFF leader contrasted the DA’s position with his party’s argument that non-payment in historically disadvantaged communities must be considered against the background of apartheid-era economic inequalities.

The comments came after the November 4 local government elections left more than 124 municipalities facing hung-council situations, including Johannesburg, where coalition negotiations are expected to shape the next administration.

Malema also blamed the ANC’s decision to work with the DA in the Government of National Unity after the 2024 national elections for making the opposition party more acceptable to some traditional ANC supporters.

He rejected claims that the DA had stolen votes, arguing instead that voters had made their own decisions after seeing the two parties share power at national level.

Despite the EFF’s setbacks in some areas, Malema maintained that the party remained politically relevant. He pointed to its approximately 2.4 million votes in the 2024 national elections and said the 2026 local government results should not be treated as the final measure of its national strength ahead of the 2029 general elections.

He also defended the rise of hung municipalities, arguing that established parties had lost their ability to govern some councils without coalition partners.

On coalition negotiations, Malema warned that the EFF could withdraw if other parties displayed what he called arrogance. He suggested that refusing to cooperate could leave the DA in a position to benefit from the resulting political deadlock.

Source: https://x.com/zanewsflash/status/2119155217287598416?s=46

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