Backlash against DA's nomination of Zille as mayoral candidate

POLITICAL parties in Johannesburg have criticised the DA for nominating Helen Zille as the mayoral candidate, saying this move demonstrated disregard for democratic values, transformation and equity.

- MANYANE MANYANE

This was after the DA on Saturday, during an event that took place in Mofolo in Soweto, officially announced the party’s stalwart as its mayoral candidate ahead of the local elections next year.

The announcement was made by DA leader John Steenhuisen, who said the appointment would restore service delivery.

Residents in Johannesburg have been struggling with shortage of water, sewage spills, power cuts and crumbling infrastructure.

The 74-year-old seasoned politician, with a long history in South Africa governance, is set to challenge the current ANC mayor, Dada Morero, in what promises to be a heated contest for control of the country’s largest city.

However, the ANC said the appointment of Zille confirmed the DAs continued commitment to a narrow, exclusionary agenda that does not serve the interests of Johannesburg's diverse communities.