Gayton McKenzie attacks Helen Zille: She will never be the mayor of Johannesburg

Patriotic Alliance (PA) leader Gayton McKenzie said that they will never work with the Democratic Alliance (DA) and that Helen Zille will never be Johannesburg mayor.

McKenzie shared this information on social media in response to speculation about coalitions in Johannesburg following the 2026 Local Government Elections.

“Helen can’t work with. I can tell you today that the Patriotic Alliance will never ever work with the DA,” he said.

“Helen will never be the Mayor of the City of Johannesburg. Helen is leading in polls and dreams only.”

The poll McKenzie was referring to was the recent Social Research Foundation (SRF) poll, which showed that the DA was leading in Johannesburg.

According to the poll, the DA’s support in the city increased from 39% in March 2026 to 42% in June 2026, continuing its rise over the last few years.

Another strong performer was the MK Party, whose support increased from 8% in March 2026 to 13% in June 2026, placing it third in the city.

The African National Congress’s (ANC’s) support, in comparison, declined from 30% in March 2026 to 18% in June 2026.

Should the DA not get an outright majority in the 2026 Local Government Elections in November, it will need coalitions to make Zille mayor. This is easier said than done.

Many people predicted that the DA might partner with ActionSA and other smaller parties, such as the Freedom Front Plus, to reach 50%.

However, ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba said that he is not interested in working with Helen Zille in Johannesburg.

“Helen Zille will not become the mayor of the City of Johannesburg now, including in her next life,” Mashaba said.

Helen Zille said she will not work with the PA

McKenzie’s attack on Zille is not unexpected. He previously said that the PA reminds her of the mafia and its members are broadly crooks.

She likened the Patriotic Alliance, which was founded and is being led by Gayton McKenzie, to a criminal enterprise.

“The PA reminds me of the mafia in the early 20th century in America. They are broadly crooks who know that the big capital flows are in the government,” she said.

Zille further alleges that Gayton McKenzie and the PA got into politics because Jacob Zuma needed to have a party that would break the coloured vote for the DA.

She argued that people must understand who the Patriotic Alliance actually are. “They have shown us who they are,” she said.

Zille said that she has done a deep dive into the transport and roads portfolio in Johannesburg. “What we saw will make your hair stand on end,” she said.

“So, we have to know that they are in government to make money, and it is very difficult to align our political philosophy about being in government with theirs.”

Commenting on coalitions, she said that if the DA does not reach 50%, she will consider all options to get there. “Then, you take the least bad option,” she said.

She said she will not work with Julius Malema’s EFF and is unlikely to partner with the Patriotic Alliance, run by McKenzie.

She said she would consider all options and choose the route that ensures stable governance in the city.