Helen Zille’s Johannesburg Campaign Compared With Herman Mashaba’s Over Alleged R200 Million Spend

Helen Zille’s performance in Johannesburg has attracted attention after allegations emerged that around R200 million was spent on her campaign, even though the Democratic Alliance received a lower percentage of the vote than it achieved under Herman Mashaba in 2016.

The issue was raised by Freedom Front Plus leader Corné Mulder while speaking to Alec Hogg on BizNews about coalition talks after the 2026 local government elections.

With Zille contesting the Johannesburg mayoral position for the DA, the party secured 34.85% of the vote. Its 2016 result, when Mashaba stood as its mayoral candidate, was 37.23%, leaving the latest performance below the figure recorded a decade earlier.

Mulder said Zille had aimed to win more than 50% of the Johannesburg vote. He alleged that R200 million in private donations went towards the campaign, but the DA did not come close to achieving her target.

He pointed to the difference between the two election outcomes, questioning the party’s progress in Johannesburg despite the reported financial support for Zille’s campaign.

Mulder said the election results had made coalition negotiations necessary, with parties required to reach an arrangement to govern Johannesburg. He identified the DA, ActionSA and the Freedom Front Plus as parties that would have to work towards an agreement on the city’s administration.

He cautioned that personal differences among political figures could make discussions more difficult. Mulder mentioned the poor relationship between Zille and Mashaba as a possible obstacle to cooperation.

Tshwane was another factor he raised. Although the DA secured the largest share of votes there, its current mayor is from ActionSA, something Mulder said should be considered during negotiations.

Despite these complications, Mulder said he believed the DA, ActionSA and the Freedom Front Plus could establish stable coalition administrations in Gauteng’s metropolitan municipalities for the city.

He added that the parties needed to make room for their leaders and other capable people willing to serve. Mulder maintained that personal disputes should not prevent an agreement, warning that failure to cooperate could give the ANC an opening to regain power.

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