Johannesburg — The African National Congress (ANC) has demanded that the Democratic Alliance (DA) remove a controversial billboard in Johannesburg that mocks Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi over comments he made about showering at a hotel during recent water shortages.
The billboard, unveiled earlier this week, features an image of the premier showering alongside a campaign message encouraging voters to support the DA to restore reliable water supply.
The ANC has now threatened legal action, arguing that the advertisement uses an AI-generated image of the premier without permission and damages his reputation.
In a letter sent to the DA on 5 March, lawyers representing the ANC demanded the party remove the billboard and related social media posts within 12 hours.
According to the letter, the image is an “unauthorised and demeaning use” of the premier’s likeness that falsely suggests he collaborated with the opposition party in creating the advertisement.
The controversy follows remarks made by Lesufi last month during a briefing on water disruptions in Johannesburg. At the time, the premier acknowledged that in some instances he had stayed at a hotel in order to bathe while dealing with the city’s water cuts.
The comments drew criticism from residents frustrated by recurring water shortages across parts of the city.
The DA later capitalised on the remarks by unveiling the billboard, which shows a satirical depiction of the premier in a shower next to the slogan calling for voters to support the party.
Helen Zille, the DA’s mayoral candidate in Johannesburg, said the party would not comply with the ANC’s demand to remove the billboard.
“We understand that the truth hurts,” Zille said, adding that the party believes there is no legal basis for the demand.
The ANC has criticised the campaign, accusing the DA of using the water crisis for political point-scoring rather than offering solutions to residents affected by service disruptions.
ANC Gauteng spokesperson Mzi Khumalo said the billboard reduces a complex infrastructure challenge to what he described as a “marketing gimmick”.
The dispute could potentially end up in court as tensions rise over the handling of Johannesburg’s ongoing water supply problems.
Water shortages have affected several parts of the city in recent months, with officials citing ageing infrastructure, growing demand and pressure on bulk supply systems as contributing factors.
The political dispute comes as pressure mounts on government to address the city’s worsening water crisis.
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