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Zille urges Johannesburg voters to turn out for change

Published

Ongoing: Elections Hot

Democratic Alliance Johannesburg mayoral candidate Helen Zille spoke at the party's final election rally in Mamelodi on Saturday. She asked registered voters not to make excuses for staying away, even if they are angry about poor services.

Zille said voters who stay at home would help the people she blames for the city's problems. She said they would give criminals another five years to loot, and that Johannesburg cannot afford another five years of failure.

She also used a direct appeal to voters at the rally. Zille said: "if you stay at home on election, you won't be punishing Amasela [criminals], you will be rewarding them."

South Africans vote next Wednesday. Special votes are expected on Monday and Tuesday.

Key facts

Who
Helen Zille (Democratic Alliance Johannesburg mayoral candidate); Democratic Alliance (party holding final election rally in Mamelodi)
What
Helen Zille, the DA's Johannesburg mayoral candidate, urged registered voters not to make excuses for staying away from the polls, and urged even those frustrated by service delivery failures to vote for change. South Africans will vote next Wednesday, with special votes expected on Monday and Tuesday.
When
31 October 2026
Where
Mamelodi, Johannesburg
Status
Reported

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