DA Slammed for Cheap Politics Over Cape Town’s ‘Model Street’ vs. Joburg’s Explosion-Ravaged Road

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has come under fire for sharing a post comparing a well-maintained Cape Town street to a damaged Johannesburg road affected by a recent gas explosion. Critics accuse the party of playing “cheap politics” by using Johannesburg’s misfortune to bolster the DA’s governance reputation in the Western Cape.

The controversy began after the DA shared images of a clean Cape Town street alongside a photo of the Joburg street in disrepair after a gas explosion that left the road heavily damaged. The DA captioned the post with claims that it reflects the differences in governance, emphasizing the contrast between the DA-led Western Cape and ANC-led Gauteng.

Public backlash was swift, with many questioning the DA’s sensitivity and accusing the party of exploiting a tragic incident for political gain. The gas explosion in Joburg, which took place in July, caused substantial damage, injuring several people and disrupting businesses in the area. Although investigations are ongoing, authorities have speculated that leaking gas lines may have contributed to the incident.

ANC representatives and other political figures quickly condemned the DA’s comparison, calling it “insensitive” and “disrespectful.” Johannesburg Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda described the post as an “opportunistic swipe” that disregards the tragedy’s impact on affected communities. ANC officials further argued that the DA’s post was intended to oversimplify complex urban issues and divert attention from challenges faced by the Western Cape, including rising crime and inequality.

The DA defended the post, stating it aimed to highlight governance contrasts, not to trivialize the explosion’s impact. DA spokespersons reiterated that the comparison serves as a reminder of the different standards of public service delivery across provinces. However, critics argue that this approach undermines constructive dialogue and demonstrates a lack of empathy.

This incident has sparked broader debate on political messaging and the ethical boundaries of public discourse, raising questions about the limits of competitive politics in South Africa.