Storm Disaster in Cape Town, Disaster in Leadership

The storm disaster that hit Cape Town caused serious damage across many communities. Residents dealt with uprooted trees and power failures. Roads were blocked and homes were damaged. People were scared and struggling.

In a situation like this, the Executive Mayor should be present. He should be visible. He should be engaged with the crisis.

Geordin Hill Lewis was not in Cape Town. He was 1 400 kilometres away on DA campaign duty in Ekurhuleni. While his city flooded, he was shaking hands and chasing votes for a different mayor in another province. He was not directing emergency services. He was not visiting affected communities. He was not looking worried Cape Town residents in the eye. He was campaigning.

Crisis Without Visible Leadership

The municipal workers and disaster management teams carried the response. They worked long hours to restore order and help affected communities. Their work kept the city going under difficult conditions. But operational response is not the same as political leadership. Leadership means visible oversight and accountability. Leadership means being there to reassure people during an emergency. Leadership means showing up.

The Democratic Alliance loves to call itself a party of good governance and strong municipal management. Cape Town is its flagship example. That claim gets tested in times of crisis, not in routine times. And the DA’s federal leader failed that test. He chose his party over his post.

Mayor Puts Party Politics Before Public Duty

Hill Lewis is paid by Cape Town ratepayers. His first and only duty during a disaster is to the people who pay his salary. Instead, he treated their crisis as an interruption to his political plans. That is not leadership. That is abandonment.

If he wants to campaign full time, he should resign. Cape Town does not need a symbolic leader during emergencies. Cape Town needs a full time mayor who stays in the city, not a politician who runs off to a campaign trail. Geordin Hill Lewis failed that test. The DA’s reputation for good governance has been exposed. They are present for the photo opportunity. They are absent when the storm hits.

Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis on the DA campaign trail in Ekurhuleni during Storm Disaster in Cape Town

DA federal leader Geordin Hill-Lewis joined Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate Khathutshelo Rasilingwane in Daveyton as part of the Democratic Alliance’s campaign trail, engaging with residents and rallying support ahead of the upcoming local government elections. The visit forms part… pic.twitter.com/7wLCInszKq

— IOL News (@IOL) May 12, 2026

Cape Town deserves better than a part time mayor. The next time the DA preaches about accountability, every resident has the right to ask one question. Were you with us or were you campaigning?