The Gauteng Democratic Alliance has come under criticism after a publicity stunt in Mogale City in which a stuffed giraffe head was placed inside a sinkhole to dramatise how deep the hole is.
Political message meets public upset
The stunt, organised by the DA’s Shadow MEC for Roads and Logistics, Evert Du Plessis, and shared on the Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Facebook page on 14 August, was intended to pressure the provincial Department of Roads and Logistics and MEC Kedibone Diale‑Tlabela to repair the site.
In the post the DA wrote that the sinkhole was “so deep a giraffe can stand in it”, and said residents and small businesses were facing danger and disruption while waiting for repairs. The party said the prop was placed “to show just how deep and serious the problem is” and called for urgent intervention.
Animal rescuers and members of the public react
Not everyone received the stunt as a useful demonstration. Animal welfare and rescue groups criticised the use of a stuffed animal head, saying it was disrespectful and caused unnecessary alarm.
“Naturally, we rushed straight out to help. Right up until we received this photo and realised it might be a prank.”
The reaction came from the Owl Rescue Centre, which said it had received an urgent report of a giraffe allegedly stuck in Hekpoort and mobilised to assist before realising the post involved a prop.
Social media users also republished images and questioned the taste and sensitivity of the DA’s approach. The stunt reached a wider audience after former Mogale City mayor Tyrone Michael Gray used the giraffe prop in several Facebook posts criticising the ANC‑run municipality. Gray was removed from office in 2023 following a vote of no confidence and has been named as a mayoral candidate in the 4 November 2026 local government elections.
What the DA said it wanted to achieve
By staging the visual demonstration, the DA said it intended to illustrate the scale of the road safety problem and to compel the Department of Roads and Logistics and the MEC to prioritise repairs. The party framed the stunt as a form of accountability: highlighting danger to residents and disruption to small businesses.
Public relations, political theatre or poor judgement?
Political publicity stunts are a familiar tactic in local politics, but they can backfire when they collide with community sensitivities or animal welfare concerns. In this instance, the prop unintentionally prompted emergency responses from a rescue organisation and generated criticism that the party had shown a “lack of respect”.
- Key actors: DA Gauteng, Shadow MEC Evert Du Plessis, MEC Kedibone Diale‑Tlabela (Department of Roads and Logistics), Owl Rescue Centre, former mayor Tyrone Michael Gray.
- Location: Sinkhole in Mogale City (Hekpoort area mentioned in posts).
- Timeline: Facebook post shared on 14 August; local government elections set for 4 November 2026.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| DA post showing giraffe prop in sinkhole | 14 August 2026 |
| Former mayor Tyrone Michael Gray removed by vote of no confidence | 2023 |
| Local government elections | 4 November 2026 |
What this means locally
For residents living near the sinkhole the immediate concern remains safety and access. The DA’s stunt has succeeded in drawing attention to the damaged site, but it has also diverted public discussion to the propriety of political tactics and the welfare implications of using realistic animal props.
Municipalities and provincial departments often respond more quickly when an issue receives public scrutiny, so the spotlight may yet accelerate repairs. At the same time, animal rescue groups have warned that realistic props can trigger emergency callouts and waste limited rescue resources.
As the campaign season intensifies towards the November elections, observers say parties will continue to use visual demonstrations to make their point — but the controversy in Mogale City is a reminder that such tactics can carry political and reputational risk.
Practical note: If residents are worried about dangerous road or ground conditions, contact Mogale City local municipality to log the hazard and request a service call; emergencies should be reported to the SAPS or local emergency services where immediate danger exists.
Reporting from Gauteng.
