Claim by DA on local jobs, City of Johannesburg: Misleading

Helen Zille (DA) said Johannesburg lost 49,000 jobs in three months, while Cape Town gained 69,000.

Claim by DADA Johannesburg mayoral candidate Helen Zille

Said 7 Mar 2026, 'Get Joburg Working' campaign launch, Johannesburg City Hall, reported by the Mail & Guardian

Independently re-checked 27 Oct 2026 · 3 sources, 1 official

What does the evidence show?

Stats SA's figures match, but its own test says neither change is big enough to be sure it is real.

Misleading means it is partly true, but something left out changes what it means.

Helen Zille (DA) said Johannesburg lost 49,000 jobs in three months, while Cape Town gained 69,000.

Helen ZilleDA

49,000

fewer Johannesburg residents had jobs in Oct-Dec 2025, but the change may not be real, Stats SA found.

Tell us, and we will check it again. We list every change on the Corrections page.