# South Africa: Fix Joburg Candidates > Civil society demands election candidates fix Johannesburg's crumbling services. - Title: South Africa: Fix Joburg Candidates · Allafrica | Shortify - Summary: Civil society demands election candidates fix Johannesburg's crumbling services. South African civic groups require mayoral candidates to commit to… - Keywords: south africa, johannesburg, joburg crisis alliance, election candidates, water service, electricity service, municipal governance, corruption, public services, accountable governance, news, world - Source: Allafrica — https://allafrica.com/stories/202610200239.html - Published: 2026-10-20T05:57:32+00:00 - Read time: 2 min - Topics: south africa, johannesburg, joburg crisis alliance, election candidates, water service, electricity service, municipal governance, corruption, public services, accountable governance, news, world ## 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 ## Key takeaway South African civic groups require mayoral candidates to commit to accountable governance and service improvements in Johannesburg before elections.