DA Johannesburg mayoral candidate Helen Zille addresses social grant concerns
DA Johannesburg mayoral candidate Helen Zille stated that her party would not reinstate apartheid or eliminate social grants if it were to govern municipalities. Zille accused the ANC of employing scare tactics to deter elderly voters in predominantly black communities from supporting the DA. She described these claims as "falsehoods," asserting that no one associated with the DA has lost their grants. Zille emphasized that the DA provides better municipal services because it does not misappropriate funds, leading to improved basic services and job opportunities. She criticized the ANC's campaign strategy, stating it intimidates people into voting for them by instilling fears about losing grants. A DA activist mentioned that in Limpopo, elderly individuals were reportedly told that an apartheid system would return if the DA won municipal elections. Zille characterized the ANC鈥檚 campaign approach as "evil." This is not the first instance of the DA and ANC clashing over social grants; during the 2024 general elections, ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa also suggested that social grants would be jeopardized if his party lost power. The DA, however, countered that ANC corruption posed the real threat to the social grant system. Both parties have released their election manifestos and are seeking voter support for local government.