Overview
- The billboard reads “The ANC showers in hotels. You have no water. Vote DA to put water in your taps,” framing Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s remark as out of touch.
- Erected in East Lynne, Pretoria, the ad uses an AI-generated image of Lesufi and was shared by Helen Zille, with DA leaders using the unveiling to rally supporters.
- Lesufi previously said he sometimes used a hotel to bathe during outages and later issued a public apology for the comment.
- On the same day the billboard appeared, the City of Johannesburg said Johannesburg Water began final commissioning of the new Brixton Reservoir, Tower and Pump Station Complex.
- Lesufi announced a R760 million upgrade plan citing January’s Rand Water plant explosion, leaks and high demand, while the DA proposed repairs, ring-fenced water revenue, forensic audits and a service-first focus.