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GOOD Party Questions Helen Zille’s Johannesburg Registration
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Why GOOD Raised Concerns
The GOOD party has asked its lawyers to check whether Helen Zille’s voter registration in Johannesburg follows the rules set out in South Africa’s Electoral Act. GOOD’s secretary‑general, Brett Herron, said a review of the law showed possible problems with Zille’s candidacy for Johannesburg mayor.
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What the Electoral Act Says
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Section 7(3) – Ordinary Residence
This part defines a person’s “ordinary residence” as the home where they normally live and to which they return after any temporary stay elsewhere.
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Section 8(3) – Ward Registration
It states that a voter must be registered only in the ward where they are ordinarily resident.
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GOOD’s Arguments About Zille’s Ties to Cape Town
GOOD points out that Zille has called Cape Town her home for more than 40 years. She notes that her husband, his church, and their retirement village are all in Cape Town. The party says she regularly returns there and would not promise to stay in Johannesburg if she loses the mayoral race.
Because of these facts, GOOD argues that Zille’s time in Johannesburg looks like a temporary absence from her true home in Cape Town, not a permanent change of residence.
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Possible Legal Steps
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Waiting for Legal Advice
GOOD says it will hold off on any action until its legal team gives an opinion on whether Zille’s registration meets sections 7(3) and 8(3) of the Electoral Act.
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If Advised Unlawful, Challenge in Court
If the lawyers conclude that Zille’s candidacy is unlawful, GOOD plans to take the matter to the proper legal forum to challenge her registration.
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GOOD Defends Its PR List Against DA Challenge
Besides the Zille issue, GOOD is also defending its proportional representation (PR) list in the Electoral Court after the Democratic Alliance (DA) challenged the lists submitted by GOOD, ActionSA, the EFF, and MK.
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DA’s Application and GOOD’s Response
The DA wants the court to exclude those parties from the PR ballot or limit how many seats they can fill. Herron called the DA’s move “bad‑faith desperation” aimed at creating legal technicalities and confusing voters.
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No Minimum Names Required
GOOD notes that neither the Municipal Electoral Act nor the Municipal Structures Act says a party list must contain a minimum number of names.
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Supplementing Lists After Election
The Municipal Structures Act allows a party that wins more seats than names on its list to add eligible candidates within two days after the election. GOOD says this “honest underestimation” idea the DA relies on is not found in the law.
Before submitting its lists, GOOD asked the IEC in writing whether single‑candidate lists were allowed, and the party says its approach complies with the law as written by Parliament, not as the DA would prefer it to be.
GOOD also points out that the DA itself has filed single‑name lists in 12 municipalities, showing the practice is not unusual.
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Conclusion
GOOD is taking a careful, legal‑based approach to both the question of Helen Zille’s Johannesburg registration and the challenge to its PR list. By waiting for its lawyers’ advice on Zille’s candidacy and standing firm on its list composition in court, the party aims to ensure that electoral rules are followed fairly and transparently. The outcome of these legal reviews will shape whether Zille can run for mayor and whether GOOD’s candidates will appear on the PR ballot in the upcoming elections.
