Cape Town – Deputy President Paul Mashatile has criticised the DA’s governance in the Western Cape, saying its model does not reflect the realities of many black communities living in townships and informal settlements.
Speaking in the National Assembly in response to questions from EFF leader Julius Malema on Thursday, Mashatile acknowledged that while some municipalities perform well in audits, this does not translate into improved living conditions or social equity.
“While several municipalities in the Western Cape are doing well in terms of audit outcomes, it is important to note that there is a significant and persistent disparity between the well-being of many residents residing in townships and informal settlements of the province of the Western Cape,” said Mashatile.
“Although the province is often recognised for strong financial governance overall, this does not reflect the lived experience of many black communities who continue to struggle with social economic challenges.”
On the question of whether the Western Cape offers the best model for municipal governance, the Deputy President @PMashatile said that although the province is recognised for strong financial governance overall, it did not reflect the lived experience of many Black communities… pic.twitter.com/Oi14veeA7J
— Parliament of RSA (@ParliamentofRSA) October 30, 2025
He argued the DA has failed to address the legacy of apartheid-era spatial segregation and emphasised that good governance should benefit all residents, regardless of race.
Mashatile also clarified that President Cyril Ramaphosa’s earlier comments about learning from the DA were misinterpreted, noting that Ramaphosa never claimed the Western Cape was the ultimate model for service delivery.
When pressed by DA MP James “JB” Lorimer about which province demonstrates the best municipal governance, Mashatile gave the DA’s efforts in poorer areas a zero rating, though he conceded that wealthier areas like Camps Bay perform better.
“You are quite right, when I go to Camps Bay, water comes out of the tap; when I go to Khayelitsha it’s not the case.
“We need to score the DA’s intervention. I’ll give you zero for the work you are doing. There is zero, completely zero,” Mashatile said.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
