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JoburgJHB29°16°CTCT30°17°PretoriaPTA31°17°DurbanDBN27°64%

ATM's Zungula says Joburg crises are intentional, sets 100-day plan

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Ongoing: Elections Hot

African Transformation Movement mayoral candidate Vuyo Zungula told a Soweto rally on Saturday that he would close non-compliant spaza shops within hours of taking office. He also promised to reclaim hijacked CBD buildings and reopen more than 50 abandoned factories.

Zungula spoke to residents and party supporters at the Orlando Community Hall. He accused the City of Johannesburg leadership of causing the metro's problems on purpose. He said the aim was to enrich corrupt officials and their associates.

Zungula claimed that around 10% of the city's R97 billion budget was lost to corruption. He also said water mafias are paid to vandalise water infrastructure so that tankers are needed. He criticised the board of Johannesburg Water and said the metro police lack fuel for patrol vehicles.

On spaza shops, he said: "Once we are in charge of Johannesburg, if you invite us in the morning at 10:00, by 17:00, all spazas that are not complying will be closed," He claimed most spaza shops break the rules. He said the city's leaders did nothing after children in Naledi died from eating snacks from unlicensed shops.

Zungula claimed the CBD's hijacked buildings hold forced prostitution rings. He said the factories closed because of imported products and a lack of political will. Local government elections take place on 4 November.

Key facts

Who
Vuyo Zungula (ATM Joburg mayoral candidate); African Transformation Movement (political party); Johannesburg Water (board criticised by Zungula); Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (metro police department mentioned as lacking fuel for patrol vehicles)
What
At a Soweto rally on Saturday, ATM mayoral candidate Vuyo Zungula accused the City of Johannesburg leadership of intentionally causing the metro's crises and promised measures including closing non-compliant spaza shops within hours of taking office, reclaiming hijacked CBD buildings and reopening abandoned factories.
When
24 October 2026
Where
Soweto, Johannesburg, Maboneng
Status
Reported

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