Foot in mouth — politicians talk sh#t while South Africans live in it
Decaying municipalities, dry taps and raw sewage are now matched by public representatives’ open insolence, proving that political failure in South Africa is matched by profound contempt.
South African politicians struggle with a troubling trend of public insensitivity, exacerbating the country's already dire state of municipal services. Decaying infrastructure, poor sanitation, and inadequate waste management systems are further compounded by politicians' crude and disregarding language. Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina was notably caught using vulgarities during a community engagement, while Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero threatened a resident with calling him "talking sh#t".
These incidents, though isolated, demonstrate the contemptuous attitude politicians hold towards the people who empower them. In 2021, ANC politicians were caught on video consuming chicken feet during a campaign, illustrating the party's disregard for voters. In 2013, Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane was criticized for dismissing residents' concerns about poor service delivery, stating that the ANC did not need their "dirty votes".
This contemptuous behavior transcends party lines, as seen in former DA leader John Steenhuisen's comment about "roadkill". Despite the taxpayer-funded nature of their positions and the public's vote, politicians often act as though citizens are an interruption to their importance. This insensitivity is particularly pronounced in municipalities struggling with uncollected waste, sewage spills, and inadequate infrastructure, as seen in Emfuleni, Johannesburg, Gqeberha, and Metsimaholo.
The Auditor-General's report reveals that only 15% of municipalities achieved clean audits in 2024/25, underscoring the institutional failure that allows such behavior to persist.
Written by urgent.news from Daily Maverick's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
