DA slams ridiculous Joburg Deputy Mayor creation while services crumble

Issued by Cllr Alex Christians – DA Johannesburg Speaker Designate
29 Jan 2026 in Press Statements

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Johannesburg is appalled that the ANC-led coalition partners voted in favour of the creation of a Deputy Mayor position, while the City and its residents suffer under broken service delivery.

This office, as per the DA’s own costing in 2016, will cost the residents at least R10 million to set up. This, while taps run dry, and rubbish is uncollected.

The abstention of 37 votes by ActionSA and GOOD led to this item passing by 107 votes to 87 against.

Since the ANC-led coalition took over, Joburg’s financial and service delivery situation has only worsened, and we have seen the City failing to pay Rand Water; contractors building the Water Tower at Brixton; and most recently, we have seen the failure to pay Pikitup staff lead to services coming to a standstill.

This only motivates our stance that this position will not serve the residents of Johannesburg right now.

Today was a clear indication that position was more important than the people of Johannesburg.

The DA will always stand up for the best interest of the residents of Johannesburg. The DA will continue to believe in Joburg.