Carlos Da Rocha, a Democratic Alliance councillor in Johannesburg's Bez Valley, has turned his van into a mobile billboard protesting poor service delivery. Covered in bold graffiti demanding accountability, the vehicle symbolizes his commitment to his community. Da Rocha says this unconventional method has helped resolve local issues like water leaks and power outages.
Carlos Da Rocha, the Democratic Alliance councillor for Bez Valley in Ward 66, is serving his third term since his election in 2011. Known for his outspoken approach to city governance, Da Rocha has adopted a striking method to highlight service delivery failures in Johannesburg: a white van plastered with graffiti reading 'Fire the Mayor!', 'No Water', and 'No Accountability'.
The van often appears parked outside City Hall, serving as a visual reminder of residents' frustrations. Da Rocha explains that traditional complaints, like emails to city officials, go unanswered. 'There is no such thing as sending the city emails, because they won’t fix the problem. My way works, and I believe in it,' he said.
This tactic evolved from his initial efforts with another vehicle, where he drove through streets and into council meetings to demand action. By patrolling his ward, Da Rocha identifies problems such as water leaks and power outages, records videos, and submits them to relevant city departments. He credits this approach with successfully addressing many community issues.
'I will do anything for my community. I don’t care if I break the rules, as long as I’m doing it for them,' Da Rocha affirmed.
Before entering politics, Da Rocha, born in Portugal and immigrating to South Africa at age 18, spent 20 years in the motorcycle industry. He founded the Crusaders Motorcycle Club and contributed to the expansion of the Patriots MC, viewing it as 'a breakaway from stress'. Eventually, he closed that chapter to focus on public service.
This story highlights Da Rocha's eccentric yet dedicated style in pushing for better governance in Johannesburg.
