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Zille welcomes ActionSA defectors as Mashaba warns rogue Joburg councillors
Johannesburg’s political temperature climbed again this week, this time in Dobsonville, where a public crossover event signalled shifting loyalties ahead of the next local government elections.
At the centre of it all were Helen Zille and Herman Mashaba, two heavyweight figures who have clashed before and now find themselves on opposite sides of yet another political reshuffle.
A high-profile defection in Soweto
One of ActionSA’s Johannesburg councillors, Mandla Nyaqela, along with 31 branch members from Soweto, formally resigned from the party and joined the Democratic Alliance at an event hosted in Dobsonville.
Their resignation letters were reportedly submitted on Thursday morning, just hours before they were publicly welcomed into their new political home.
Zille told supporters that the new members recognise the DA as the party capable of addressing Johannesburg’s ongoing service delivery challenges. She spoke about governance, infrastructure, jobs, and investment, framing the defections as part of a broader movement towards what she described as effective administration.
The DA believes the departure of branch members in Soweto could significantly weaken ActionSA’s ground structures in one of its key constituencies. The party has suggested that this is only the beginning of further shifts to come.
On social media, reactions were predictably divided. DA supporters hailed the move as proof that their party is consolidating strength in the city. ActionSA backers, meanwhile, accused the DA of opportunism and questioned the motives behind the switch.
Mashaba’s warning to ‘rogue’ members
Back in the ActionSA camp, Mashaba responded firmly.
He warned members of his Johannesburg caucus that behaviour compromising the party would not be tolerated. Referring to absentee councillors at a council meeting, he said their reasons would be investigated.
Mashaba also confirmed that Nyaqela had already been facing a disciplinary process before his defection. According to him, the councillor had been arrested during a council meeting last year on allegations related to gender based violence, alongside other reported incidents of misconduct.
In a pointed remark, Mashaba said he was not surprised by the move and added that he was happy for Zille to “take him and his friends”.
This is not the first time ActionSA has taken a hard line internally. Last year, the party dismissed eight councillors in the City of Johannesburg for failing to meet key performance indicators linked to council work and party building. Mashaba has now reiterated that underperforming representatives will be replaced, saying he will not approach elections with what he described as “dead wood”.
Nyaqela’s criticism of ActionSA
At the crossover ceremony, Nyaqela did not hold back. He accused ActionSA of offering promises without the power to deliver and claimed internal processes lacked democracy. He described an environment of bullying and suppression of dissent, arguing that only the DA could move the country forward.
Such public criticism from a former insider adds another layer to the unfolding rivalry. For voters in Johannesburg, particularly in Soweto, it raises questions about party cohesion and leadership credibility on both sides.
Analysts weigh in on the bigger picture
Political analysts have offered cautious interpretations of the development.
Andre Duvenhage from North West University suggested that the defections could strengthen Zille’s position in Johannesburg and potentially boost the DA’s electoral prospects in the city.
Theo Neethling, another political analyst, noted that while the move may dent ActionSA’s local image, it appears limited to specific parts of Soweto for now and does not necessarily signal a sweeping national trend.
Still, the symbolism matters. Johannesburg remains one of the most politically contested metros in South Africa. Coalition politics, fragile alliances, and service delivery frustrations have created fertile ground for political manoeuvring.
What this means for Joburg
For ordinary residents, the real concern is not party logos but potholes, power cuts, water shortages, and jobs. The DA is positioning itself as the experienced governance option. ActionSA is trying to present itself as disciplined and performance-driven.
This latest chapter shows that the contest for Johannesburg is far from settled. As the next elections draw closer, party unity, leadership credibility, and grassroots organisation in communities like Soweto could make all the difference.
One thing is clear: the political battle for Joburg is intensifying, and voters are watching closely.
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Source: The Citizen
Featured Image: YFM
