Johan Rupert Slams Western Cape Crime, Calls Out DA Leader Steenhuisen

Prominent South African businessman Johan Rupert has criticised the Democratic Alliance (DA) and its leader, John Steenhuisen, for the high levels of crime in the Western Cape particularly in the Cape Flats.

Speaking during an engagement in the United States, Rupert remarked: “The crime is terrible, but Mr Steenhuisen won’t admit that he runs the Western Cape where I live, where the biggest murder rate is in the Cape Flats.”

The billionaire’s comments come amid growing national concern over violent crime, with the Western Cape frequently cited in crime statistics for its disproportionately high murder rate. While the province is governed by the DA, critics argue that policing remains a national competence under the ANC-led government.

Rupert’s statement is likely to reignite debate over accountability for safety and security, particularly in provinces where opposition parties hold power. It also highlights tensions between political narratives and the lived reality of communities grappling with gang violence and systemic inequality.

Neither Rupert nor Steenhuisen’s offices have issued further comment at the time of publication