Patriotic Alliance (PA) deputy president Kenny Kunene has declared that Democratic Alliance (DA) mayoral candidate Helen Zille will not become Johannesburg’s next mayor, despite the DA’s strong performance in the 2026 Local Government Elections.
Speaking during a media briefing at the IEC’s National Results Operations Centre in Midrand, Kunene said the PA was prepared to enter into a coalition with the DA, even though he personally opposed Zille.
“We will go into coalition with any party, including the DA, despite the fact that we don’t like the DA. Despite the fact that I personally despise Helen Zille,” he said.
Kunene accused Zille of using black voters to advance her political interests and alleged that a DA-led administration under her leadership would disadvantage poorer and predominantly black communities.
“I think she uses the black vote as a means to an end. I believe that she hates black people and wants to serve the rich and affluent so that black people can remain poor,” he said.
“I believe that if she becomes the mayor of Johannesburg, which SHE WILL NOT, she is going to target black areas and make sure life is difficult for black people. The same way she did in the Western Cape, particularly Cape Town as mayor.”
Kunene, however, maintained that his personal feelings towards Zille would not prevent the PA from working with the DA if that was what the electoral outcome required.
“Despite me not liking them, our party says we respect the mandate of the voter and the voter says work together. So it’s not about what I like, or do not like. So we will work with them,” he said.
The DA has emerged as the leading party in Johannesburg in the provisional election results, but has not secured an outright majority. The next mayor will be determined through the newly constituted council and the support candidates are able to secure during the mayoral election.
Kunene’s remarks come as political parties prepare for coalition negotiations that will determine the composition of Johannesburg’s next administration.
