Al Jama‑ah accuses DA of failing Joburg after ex‑Wits VC backs Zille

Al Jama‑ah has criticised former Wits University vice‑chancellor Adam Habib for publicly endorsing Democratic Alliance mayoral candidate Helen Zille as the person to rescue the City of Johannesburg, saying the DA has already had two chances to lead the metro and failed both times.

Backlash after Habib’s public endorsement

Ganief Hendricks, leader of Al Jama‑ah, responded after media reports that Adam Habib said Zille “has the necessary experience and capacity to save the metro from further decline.”

“Helen defined this election from day one with her performative campaigning and her service delivery focus; everyone else is simply responding to her… My fear is that she will win the largest vote share but fall short of a majority, leading other political parties to gang up against her,”

Hendricks: Habib ‘does not know what he is talking about’

In a statement on Thursday, Hendricks said Habib “does not know what he is talking about” and criticised the DA’s record in Johannesburg.

“The DA had two chances and failed twice. Johannesburg cannot afford a third experiment. We need DDM delivery, stability, jobs, and dignity. While Helen Zille served as federal council chair, the DA systematically dismantled Johannesburg’s administration. Now, she returns to finish the job and sabotage the city’s rightful vision to stand as the iconic economic beacon of Africa,”

Al Jama‑ah points to past coalition turmoil

Hendricks also highlighted what he described as problems facing the city when the government of local unity took over from the Multi‑Party Coalition, saying the City of Johannesburg “was in its worst state in history” and pointing to strikes, widespread service delivery failures and financial and operational difficulties.

He said the DA‑led coalition suspended the revenue collection strategy, “leaving contractors unpaid and grounding the JMPD fleet with threats to terminate the contract‑effectively leaving the City without law enforcement resources.”

Polling and party positions

The article includes poll figures from the Social Research Foundation showing the DA leading at around 42%, the ANC at 18%, uMkhonto weSizwe at 13%, ActionSA at 10% and the EFF at 8%. The DA has denied responsibility for the collapse of services in Johannesburg and has blamed the government of local unity.

Coalition questions remain

According to The Citizen, Zille refused to comment this week on the conditions her party would set if it decides to enter a coalition with other parties.

Published: 20 August 2026