Businesses in Johannesburg’s Central Business District (CBD) are facing a sharp decline in customers due to escalating crime, according to Democratic Alliance (DA) Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga.
Msimanga led a DA walkthrough in the city center on Tuesday, engaging with business owners and residents who say crime has made the area increasingly unsafe. He accused the Gauteng provincial government of failing to take meaningful action, instead focusing on “public relations stunts.”
“Unfortunately, we have a premier who is just a PR guru—someone who talks a lot but does little,” Msimanga said. “Hijackings, kidnappings, and murders remain rampant in Gauteng, with gender-based violence still a major concern.”
The DA leader visited key locations, including the Carlton Center building and sections of Small and Lilian Ngoyi streets, where traders reported dwindling foot traffic due to safety fears. One business owner noted that while the area was once a bustling hub, crime has driven many customers away.
Msimanga vowed to pressure the provincial government to prioritize crime-fighting efforts, calling for better police resourcing and visible law enforcement in the CBD.
The DA’s walkabout comes amid growing concerns over Johannesburg’s inner-city safety, with businesses urging authorities to act before economic activity grinds to a halt.
