Zille defends Yeoville reservoir inspection despite Joburg legal threats

Democratic Alliance (DA) Federal Chairperson Helen Zille said she was prepared to defend her actions after the City of Johannesburg threatened legal action over her visit to a Joburg Water reservoir.

In a video posted on social media, Zille, who is also the DA’s mayoral candidate for Johannesburg, can be seen entering and inspecting the Yeoville reservoir, where she pointed out leaks, dilapidated infrastructure, and signs of trespassing.

The city’s infrastructure department has since condemned the visit, accusing Zille of using critical infrastructure for political campaigning and warning that unauthorised access could compromise the security of water facilities.

However, speaking to EWN, Zille dismissed the criticism, saying there were no signs prohibiting entry and that the site appeared poorly secured.

"I would welcome it, I would welcome it. There is no sign that says no entry or no access or anything like that. None at all, the fence is flattened. So I would think if it was a secure facility there would be some kind of fence up. But the fence was broken; there was a huge gap in the fence. And the stairs that lead to the actual reservoir that is covered at the top, the gate was not even locked, you could just swing it open," Zille said.