Helen Zille’s Joburg Mayoral Campaign Sparks Row After ‘Unauthorised’ Visit To Water Reservoir

The City of Johannesburg has voiced strong concerns after Democratic Alliance mayoral candidate Helen Zille allegedly entered a restricted municipal water facility without permission.

Officials say the incident raises serious questions about security procedures at critical infrastructure sites across the city.

According to the municipality, Zille and members of her team reportedly accessed a Johannesburg Water property without proper authorisation, prompting calls for an investigation into how entry was granted.

City Launches Probe Into Yeoville Reservoir Security Breach

The MMC for Environment and Infrastructure Service Department, Jack Sekwaila, confirmed on Thursday evening that the city had requested a formal investigation following the incident.

He said Zille had accessed the Yeoville reservoir complex without following the required security procedures.

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“In light of the recent incident at the Yeoville reservoir complex, I have requested that Johannesburg Water conduct a formal investigation to identify how unauthorised personnel gained entry.

“We will not allow political parties to use the city’s strategic assets for campaigning.

“Such infrastructure should remain off-limits to political activities, and we will pursue legal action against anyone who unlawfully enters these sites,” Sekwaila stated.

The municipality also indicated that the investigation will determine who allowed the 75-year-old politician and her team onto the premises.

Helen Zille’s Mayoral Campaign Targets Joburg Service Delivery

Zille recently launched her campaign to become mayor of Johannesburg and has been actively highlighting service delivery challenges across the city.

Since announcing her bid earlier this month, she has repeatedly visited problem areas and infrastructure sites.

Her campaign trail has included filling potholes, inspecting water infrastructure projects, touring abandoned buildings and even directing traffic at intersections where traffic lights were not working.

During her recent visit to the Yeoville reservoir, Zille reportedly demonstrated how easily the site could be accessed through an unlocked gate.

Her team has been contacted for comment, and their response will be added once received.

Reservoir Problems and Security Concerns Revealed

While inside the Yeoville reservoir complex, Zille allegedly encountered several issues that raised concerns about maintenance and safety.

The site reportedly had young men loitering on the premises, visible leaks in the reservoir structure and residents collecting water from an open manhole cover.

Sekwaila explained that one of the three reservoirs at the facility had already been taken out of operation.

However, he said the structure forms part of a broader refurbishment plan involving 22 reservoirs across the city, which is currently still in the procurement stage.

He added that water escaping from the leaking reservoir was being redirected.

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“Water from the leak is being systematically redirected into the stormwater system to prevent flooding of public spaces.”

The MMC also acknowledged that vandalism has become a recurring challenge at several reservoir sites.

“We recognise that we are facing ongoing challenges related to frequent vandalism in some of our reservoirs.

“We are actively working to enhance our security measures and operational strategies to protect our infrastructure and ensure the safety of the surrounding community,” Sekwaila concluded.