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Democratic Alliance (DA) Federal Council Chair Helen Zille.
The City of Johannesburg’s Democratic Alliance (DA) mayoral candidate for the 2026 local government election, Helen Zille has raised serious concerns about city’s failing infrastructure.
Earlier on Monday, the city’s emergency services confirmed that four people were injured in Doornfontein after a transformer exploded.
An electrical transformer explosion, leading to a partial wall collapse in New Doornfonteinhttps://t.co/3j4tY7s95Q#ArriveAlive @PublicSafetyMMC @BurnshieldZA @CityofJoburgZA @ConstructionSfy pic.twitter.com/JfhVZcZotY
— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) February 2, 2026
A building has collapsed in Doornfontein, in Johannesburg, leaving at least three injured. Emergency services are on the scene.#sabcnews #UpdateAtNoon pic.twitter.com/jEraDOaDUA
— SABC News Radio (@SABCNews_Radio) February 2, 2026
She says the incident reflects deeper problems in how the city manages and maintains critical infrastructure.
Zille visited the scene, on Monday afternoon.
“We will root out corruption and I have a very strong idea that this type of thing may be linked to corruption, but I want to confirm that first. I really have to confirm that. I have read a lot about the maintenance of this kind of infrastructure and the extent to which maintenance contractors make sure that they can come back and maintain it very shortly after that. I’m not saying any more than that, but I’m saying we will eradicate corruption. Whatever it takes,” says Zille.
Zille says Sunday’s explosion could have been prevented.
The incident has once again brought the spotlight onto growing concerns over the deterioration of Johannesburg’s inner city and its ageing infrastructure. Zille who visited the scene of the incident has suggested that the disaster may be linked to corruption.
RELATED VIDEO | Zille is DA’s Joburg mayoral candidate
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abav2tMPrXc
