Helen Zille’s Plan to Fix Johannesburg: Governance, Accountability, and a Return to Basics

Veteran politician and Democratic Alliance (DA) Federal Council Chairperson Helen Zille is setting her sights on Johannesburg, hoping to bring stability and accountability to a city many say has lost its way. In a recent Business Talk interview, Zille outlined how she intends to fix the country’s economic hub and her plan goes far beyond just cleaning potholes and fixing lights.

From Journalist To Political Powerhouse

Before her rise in politics, Zille was a journalist for the Rand Daily Mail, where she famously exposed the truth about anti-apartheid leader Steve Biko’s death, proving it was the result of torture, not natural causes. That fearless pursuit of truth still defines her leadership style today.

She went on to serve as Cape Town’s Mayor, Premier of the Western Cape, and Leader of the Democratic Alliance. Over the years, Zille’s reputation has grown as someone unafraid to confront corruption and mismanagement head-on qualities she says Johannesburg desperately needs.

A City In Need Of Order

For Zille, the first step to restoring Johannesburg’s greatness lies in stabilising the city’s finances and tackling corruption from the top down. She argues that Johannesburg’s finances have been crippled by weak governance, political infighting, and years of cadre deployment a system she believes has left the city hollowed out of technical skill.

“Johannesburg’s utilities boards are almost empty of experts,” Zille said, highlighting that Johannesburg Water has only one engineer on its entire board. She insists that this lack of expertise has left vital infrastructure in chaos from water leaks to erratic electricity supply.

Her solution? Replace political appointees with qualified professionals who understand the technical and financial challenges of running a modern city.

Tackling Corruption And Non-Payment

Zille’s proposed clean-up starts with what she calls “secure accountability channels.” She plans to create a confidential reporting line for whistleblowers, ensuring corruption can be reported without fear of retribution.

She also pointed out a growing problem that most Joburgers know too well residents who don’t pay for services. Drawing from her time as Cape Town’s Mayor, Zille said she would reintroduce strict systems to recover revenue while still protecting low-income households. “Without payment discipline, even the most well-run city can’t survive,” she noted.

Cutting Political Bloat

Zille didn’t mince words when talking about the city’s bloated bureaucracy. She argued that too many senior positions are filled by political insiders, not professionals. Her plan involves trimming unnecessary management layers while safeguarding jobs for those who actually keep the city running the workers on the ground.

This, she says, is not about job cuts but about cutting waste and restoring efficiency.

Fixing Policing Before Expanding Powers

Johannesburg’s crime rate is another concern for Zille, but her approach is measured. Instead of rushing to give the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) investigative powers, she wants to first ensure the force is competent, disciplined, and trusted.

Only once the JMPD proves effective would she consider expanding its mandate to support SAPS investigations.

The Bigger Picture: Reviving Johannesburg’s Heartbeat

Zille describes Johannesburg as “the heartbeat of South Africa’s economy” a city that, if well-governed, could once again be the driver of national growth. Her message resonates with many South Africans frustrated by collapsing infrastructure and mismanaged municipalities.

Social media reactions to her announcement have been divided. Some praise her leadership track record in the Western Cape, while others question whether her style of governance can succeed in Joburg’s complex political environment.

Still, even critics agree on one thing Johannesburg desperately needs a leader with both the will and experience to pull it back from the brink.

And Helen Zille, with her decades-long fight for clean governance, is betting that she’s the one to do it.

{Source:Business Tech}

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