Ekurhuleni, on Gauteng’s East Rand, is the “epicentre” of South Africa’s gangster state.

This is according to the leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA), Geordin Hill-Lewis, who was in the city to launch Khathutshelo Rasilingwane’s campaign for mayor of the city.

Hill-Lewis painted a picture of a city plagued by corruption, failing infrastructure, broken services, and violence. “Not a single thing is untainted by the stench of corruption,” he said, claiming that politicians and officials steal millions while gangster networks enforce silence through intimidation and murder.

Hill-Lewis positioned Rasilingwane and the DA as the alternative in Ekurhuleni, citing the party’s record in municipalities where it governs, including Cape Town, Midvaal, and Umgeni. He said clean governance by the DA had improved public services, infrastructure, and investment. He emphasised the DA’s diversity and ability to win support across racial lines. Hill-Lewis said: “The DA is the only party in South African history that has won a 100% black ward, a 100% white ward, a 100% coloured ward, and a 100% Indian ward.”

The campaign launch included a call for residents to register and vote in the local government election, scheduled to be held in November. Hill-Lewis said a DA victory could transform Ekurhuleni into “a city of factories, small businesses, safe streets, working services, and growing opportunity”, framing the election as a choice between continued mismanagement by the African National Congress (ANC) and the DA’s promise of honest, effective government.

Rasilingwane, he said, is ready to lead. “She has stood up against corruption. She has challenged bad governance. She has spoken for residents who are tired of excuses. Now she is ready to lead.”

Ekurhuleni is currently governed by an ANC-led coalition, but, given current trends in Gauteng, the DA could be the single-biggest party in the municipality after the election, making it well-placed to lead a coalition government.