A City of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality sewage drainage pipe pours out inside a residential home in Katlehong on October 5, 2026. Of the 257 municipal councils up for grabs, the fight for municipal control is particularly intense in Johannesburg, an economic dynamo of more than four million people, and the face of Africa's most industrialised nation. South Africa's stark inequalities are laid bare in the Alexandra township area from where the skyscrapers of the Sandton business district -- reputed to be the richest square mile on the continent -- are visible. (Photo by EMMANUEL CROSET / AFP via Getty Images)

A resident stands on the stoop of his house in Alexandra, near Johannesburg, on October 5, 2026. Of the 257 municipal councils up for grabs, the fight for municipal control is particularly intense in Johannesburg, an economic dynamo of more than four million people, and the face of Africa's most industrialised nation. South Africa's stark inequalities are laid bare in the Alexandra township area from where the skyscrapers of the Sandton business district -- reputed to be the richest square mile on the continent -- are visible. (Photo by EMMANUEL CROSET / AFP via Getty Images)

Residents fill up buckets of water from a communal tap in Alexandra, near Johannesburg, on October 5, 2026. Of the 257 municipal councils up for grabs, the fight for municipal control is particularly intense in Johannesburg, an economic dynamo of more than four million people, and the face of Africa's most industrialised nation. South Africa's stark inequalities are laid bare in the Alexandra township area from where the skyscrapers of the Sandton business district -- reputed to be the richest square mile on the continent -- are visible. (Photo by EMMANUEL CROSET / AFP via Getty Images)

Residents cross a street near an African National Congress (ANC) municipal elections posters in Alexandra, near Johannesburg, on October 5, 2026. Of the 257 municipal councils up for grabs, the fight for municipal control is particularly intense in Johannesburg, an economic dynamo of more than four million people, and the face of Africa's most industrialised nation. South Africa's stark inequalities are laid bare in the Alexandra township area from where the skyscrapers of the Sandton business district -- reputed to be the richest square mile on the continent -- are visible. (Photo by EMMANUEL CROSET / AFP via Getty Images)

A child empties out a trash can into a dump in front of portable toilets in an informal settlement in Marlboro, near Johannesburg, on October 5, 2026. Of the 257 municipal councils up for grabs, the fight for municipal control is particularly intense in Johannesburg, an economic dynamo of more than four million people, and the face of Africa's most industrialised nation. South Africa's stark inequalities are laid bare in the Alexandra township area from where the skyscrapers of the Sandton business district -- reputed to be the richest square mile on the continent -- are visible. (Photo by EMMANUEL CROSET / AFP via Getty Images)

A resident runs through a street flooded with sewage in Katlehong on October 5, 2026. Of the 257 municipal councils up for grabs, the fight for municipal control is particularly intense in Johannesburg, an economic dynamo of more than four million people, and the face of Africa's most industrialised nation. South Africa's stark inequalities are laid bare in the Alexandra township area from where the skyscrapers of the Sandton business district -- reputed to be the richest square mile on the continent -- are visible. (Photo by EMMANUEL CROSET / AFP via Getty Images)

A resident hangs up her laundry on a washing line in Alexandra, near Johannesburg, on October 5, 2026. Of the 257 municipal councils up for grabs, the fight for municipal control is particularly intense in Johannesburg, an economic dynamo of more than four million people, and the face of Africa's most industrialised nation. South Africa's stark inequalities are laid bare in the Alexandra township area from where the skyscrapers of the Sandton business district -- reputed to be the richest square mile on the continent -- are visible. (Photo by EMMANUEL CROSET / AFP via Getty Images)

Residents fill up water buckets from a communal tap as another washes her laundry next to a Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) municipal election poster in Alexandra, near Johannesburg, on October 5, 2026. Of the 257 municipal councils up for grabs, the fight for municipal control is particularly intense in Johannesburg, an economic dynamo of more than four million people, and the face of Africa's most industrialised nation. South Africa's stark inequalities are laid bare in the Alexandra township area from where the skyscrapers of the Sandton business district -- reputed to be the richest square mile on the continent -- are visible. (Photo by EMMANUEL CROSET / AFP via Getty Images)