From Allafrica · · 2m
South Africa: Fix Joburg Candidates
Civil society demands election candidates fix Johannesburg's crumbling services.
In brief
Civil society demands election candidates fix Johannesburg's crumbling services. South African civic groups require mayoral candidates to commit to accountable governance and service improvements in Johannesburg before elections. Originally reported by Allafrica.
Johannesburg's Deteriorating Conditions
Residents face unreliable water, electricity, and infrastructure while corruption and declining services worsen the city's situation.
“Johannesburg's residents struggle with unreliable water and electricity, deteriorating infrastructure, unsafe neighbourhoods, corruption and declining public services”
Water Crisis Deepens
Over 50,500 leaks reported between June 2025 and June 2026, costing R2.8-billion in water losses annually.
“Between June 2025 and June 2026, more than 50,500 leaks were reported, mainly from old pipes”
Electricity Shortfalls
R5.6-billion in electricity losses reported in 2024/25, with Eskom threatening to cut supply due to R5.2-billion debt.
“In 2024/25, Joburg reported over R5.6-billion worth of electricity losses”
Waste Management Failures
Pikitup's collection fleet grounded by strikes over late payments, leaving illegal dumps in neighbourhoods.
“Pikitup's collection fleet was largely grounded this winter by strikes due to frequent late payments to casual workers employed by City service providers”
Sewage System Collapse
Half of Johannesburg's sewage treatment plants in critical state, with city's score dropping from 91% in 2011 to 49% in 2025 reports.
“The national regulator found half of Johannesburg's sewage treatment plants in a critical state”
Financial Distress
City collected R81-billion in revenue but faces R3.7-billion irregular expenditure and R2.4-billion unauthorized spending.
“Behind the service failures lies a municipality in financial and administrative distress, despite collecting over R81-billion in revenue in 2024/25”
Auditor-General's Findings
Auditor-General found nearly R3.7-billion in irregular expenditure and almost R2.4-billion in unauthorised spending in 2024/25 financial statements.
“The Auditor-General gave the municipality's 2024/25 financial statements a qualified opinion, finding nearly R3.7-billion in irregular expenditure and almost R2.4-billion in unauthorised expenditure”
Johannesburg Presidential Support Group
President Cyril Ramaphosa created the Johannesburg Presidential Support Working Group in 2025 to address infrastructure and service failures.
“President Cyril Ramaphosa flagged the city's collapsing infrastructure, financial mismanagement and electricity and water interruptions”
Residents' Call to Save Joburg
Civic organisations at the JCA summit agreed to continue mobilising communities to ensure elected representatives remain accountable throughout their five-year term.
“Civic organisations at the JCA summit agreed to continue to mobilise communities to ensure that elected representatives remain answerable to the people throughout their five-year term”
Eight Commitments for Candidates
JCA demands candidates commit to capable and caring government, honest leadership, clean water, affordable electricity, safe spaces, honest law enforcement, secure living, and youth opportunities.
“Residents have repeatedly told us they want leaders who are honest, visible, competent, accountable and who deliver results”
Ten Priority Actions
JCA will monitor water, electricity, refuse collection, libraries, municipal planning, corruption, city boards, senior management, public transport, and small traders over the first year.
“The JCA said that it is committed to sustained civic action to restore accountable governance and reliable service delivery in Johannesburg”
Election Poll Results
Helen Zille (DA) leads with 36%, followed by ANC at 27%, and Herman Mashaba (ActionSA) at 13% in a News24/SABI mayoral poll.
“A News24/SABI mayoral poll has Helen Zille (DA) leading on 36%, followed by the ANC on 2:27%, and Herman Mashaba (ActionSA) on 13%”
Candidates' Promises
Helen Zille pledges reliable water, electricity, 200,000 jobs, law and order, and a professional government. ActionSA wants 2,500 more police officers and tighter municipal control of utilities.
“Helen Zille's five pledges revolve around reliable water and electricity, working roads, 200,000 new jobs, law and order, and a professional, modern government”
What's Next for Joburg
JCA proposes allocating mayoral portfolios by vote proportion, publishing coalition agreements, and limiting political interference in the new administration.
“To form the next administration, the JCA proposes allocating mayoral committee portfolios in proportion to votes received, publishing a coalition agreement that informs the City's Integrated Development Plan”
The one thing
South African civic groups require mayoral candidates to commit to accountable governance and service improvements in Johannesburg before elections.
