Cape Town – Johannesburg is facing mounting criticism from the Democratic Alliance (DA) over its readiness to host the upcoming G20 Summit in November, with the party calling out a “leadership vacuum” and systemic service delivery failures across the city.
At a media briefing outside Johannesburg, DA Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga delivered a stark warning, “Why is it that they cannot even appoint a city manager? As we’re sitting here, the city doesn’t have a city manager. They’ve seconded someone from the province — from Cogta. Why is that the case?”
With less than 3-months to go until the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, the DA said the city is not in a state to host the event.
Solly Msimanga, DA Gauteng leader, said there is a lack of leadership in the city. TCG pic.twitter.com/A5PrUW995l
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) July 31, 2025
Msimanga highlighted an ongoing crisis in governance — since January, the city has operated under an acting city manager, Tshepo Makola, following a court ruling that invalidated the prior appointment of Floyd Brink.
According to IOL DA Johannesburg caucus leader Belinda Kayser‑Echeozonjoku emphasised concerns about delegate safety and basic services in Sandton, where many G20 attendees are expected to stay.
“Last week, Sandton was without water for eight days. There are ditches all across Sandton, where these delegates will be staying. They’re doing the bare minimum to make it appear as if they’re fixing things.”
He painted a bleak picture of urban infrastructure decay, citing issues such as hijacked buildings, water shortages, frequent power outages, pothole-riddled roads, non-operating traffic lights, rampant crime, and corruption within city departments.
The DA’s media briefing follows remarks by US President Donald Trump — who stated he would “probably not” attend the Johannesburg-hosted summit, alleging “very bad policies” in South Africa as a rationale.
These developments come against the backdrop of Johannesburg’s broader infrastructural decline.
A Times UK report earlier this year described the city as crumbling under failing utilities, broken roads, stolen power infrastructure, and widespread municipal mismanagement — urging that restoration of reliable services would cost an estimated R220 billion.
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Compiled by Lisabeal Nqamqhele
