Johannesburg – DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis has turned the party’s municipal elections manifesto launch into a sharp attack on the ANC’s record in local government.
He contrasted DA-run municipalities such as Midvaal with what he described as failing municipalities, including Johannesburg and Emfuleni.
Hill-Lewis said the November 4 elections would give voters a chance to choose who they want to govern their municipalities.
He said the DA had already demonstrated how to improve municipalities rather than simply making promises.
“We are not guessing about how to fix municipalities. We have done it. We are doing it. And we will do it where you live.”
He described Johannesburg as “the most broken metro in South Africa” and Emfuleni as one of the country’s worst-governed municipalities, contrasting them with DA-run Midvaal.
“From one soccer pitch, you could see the consequences of bad government and the possibilities of good government, side by side.”
Hill-Lewis argued that municipal decline was a political choice and promised to end cadre deployment in DA-governed municipalities.
“Decline is a political choice.”
“We will end cadre deployment in the municipalities we govern.”
He also pledged tighter financial controls, saying municipal revenue should be spent on the services from which it was generated.
“Public money is not party money.”
“Your money will no longer be treated as a political slush fund.”
LGE 2026 | Democratic Alliance leader Geordin Hill-Lewis has vowed to prioritise service delivery at the municipal level, adding that government money will not be used to fund political parties. pic.twitter.com/mmd0XhZa7n
— SABC News (@SABCNews) August 8, 2026
The DA leader also sought to broaden the party’s appeal beyond its traditional support base, insisting that DA-run municipalities would serve all residents regardless of their political affiliation.
“A DA government does not ask who you voted for before it fixes your street.”
“We govern for everyone.”
The party’s manifesto focuses on improving water and electricity infrastructure, fixing roads, maintaining public facilities, tackling crime and reducing red tape for businesses and informal traders. Hill-Lewis linked functioning municipalities to economic growth, saying: “When cities and towns work, people work.”
He ended by urging voters to judge the party on basic service delivery, saying:
“Vote for your taps to run. Vote for your streetlights to shine. Vote for your bins to be emptied.”
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
