In Johannesburg, the most explosive tactical warfare has erupted between the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the Patriotic Alliance (PA).
The PA is aggressively vying for dominance in the Joburg mayoral election. The party is known for past campaigns, like the push to bring God back to schools.
The high-stakes 2026 Local Government Elections on November 4, 2026, have triggered a fierce ideological showdown.
Metropolitan metros have become battlegrounds where control over multi-billion-rand budgets hangs in the balance.
Kenny Kunene’s illegal immigration and hijacked buildings pledges
At the PA’s final election rally in Soweto, mayoral candidate Kenny Kunene delivered a fiery speech.
Watch the embedded X post below, where he issues a stark warning. He declares that Johannesburg will be a “no-go zone” for illegal immigrants when he becomes mayor.
Mass deportations were promised for those without the right papers. Kunene stated that big businesses cannot employ illegal immigrants at the expense of South Africans.
“Within 30 days of me becoming the mayor I’m going to set up a task team when they wake up they go for illegal immigrants with Home Affairs,” Kunene said.
He insisted his plans are not a “pipe dream.” Kunene claimed he has already conducted raids in Bramley, Kew, Sandton, and Hillbrow. He stated that he arrested individuals and handed them over to police.
Beyond immigration, Kunene also heavily focused on the hijacked buildings crisis. He promised to establish a specific task team to arrest building hijackers and return properties to their rightful owners.
The PA’s twin campaign pillars: Abahambe and conservative values
Kunene’s promises align with the Patriotic Alliance’s core campaign pillars under leader Gayton McKenzie. The party mobilised voter support by blending aggressive populist stances with conservative social policy.
The “Abahambe” campaign (meaning “they must go”) became the party’s definitive national rallying cry. This unyielding stance resonated heavily with working-class voters, helping the PA expand into highly contested Gauteng metros.
For the 2026 local elections, the PA argues that local by-law enforcement is the frontline of the immigration battle. This justifies Kunene’s aggressive promises to utilize mayoral powers to drive the programme.
Julius Malema’s vision for hijacked buildings and anti-corruption
Across town, EFF leader Julius Malema addressed his party’s final rally at Orlando Amstel Arena.
Malema also placed the hijacked buildings crisis at the center of his Joburg mayoral election pitch. However, he proposed a different solution.
All hijacked buildings must be returned to the city, Malema demanded. He proposed converting these structures into affordable housing and student accommodation.
“All the hijacked buildings must be returned to the city. The city must convert the hijacked buildings into residential areas and must be given to our people so that they start right next to where they work,” Malema said.
He warned criminal syndicates exploiting vulnerable residents. “We don’t care whether you are a South African or you are a Nigerian when you take a building in Johannesburg from the 5th of November, you are a criminal and we’re going to deal with you decisively.”
The EFF has a history of leading blitzes on dire living conditions in Joburg. They have also conducted multi-agency raids in the CBD. The crisis remains deadly, highlighted by the murder of DJ Warras and the tragic Ormonde building collapse.
Malema also accused municipal officials of corruption, alleging that councillors seek sexual favours in exchange for jobs. “The collapse of our municipalities is not an accident. It is a business model,” he said.
The wider Joburg mayoral election race
The battle for Johannesburg extends beyond Kunene and Malema. The ruling African National Congress (ANC) faces a desperate attempt to halt its metropolitan decline.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) seeks to capitalise on its polling leads. Helen Zille’s mayoral campaign pushes a traditional DA governance platform.
Meanwhile, the EFF has put forward Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng as its mayoral candidate. A globally recognised medical doctor and human rights activist, Mofokeng focuses on restoring human dignity.
Her platform prioritises 24/7 digital clinics, writing off historical indigent debt, and insourcing municipal workers. She argues that dignity and care should shape how Johannesburg is governed.
The electorate faces a stark choice. The PA offers aggressive local job reservation and mass deportations. The EFF pitches structural reorganisation and healthcare-driven leadership.
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