Image Source: Polity
Local – GNU partner the Democratic Alliance has slammed the African National Congress’s Local Government Elections Manifesto, saying the governing party cannot fix what it has broken.
DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis said the ANC’s manifesto asks South Africans to believe that the same party that let municipalities collapse across the country will suddenly turn things around within 100 days. He said the pledge to fill every critical municipal vacancy within 120 days is just as unrealistic.
“These promises are implausible and lack all integrity. The ANC cannot be trusted to fix what it has broken.”
Despite the DA’s own record of criticism, service delivery shortfalls, accusations of mismanagement in its municipalities, and dissatisfaction among South Africans, Hill-Lewis says only the DA can restore integrity to the state, stop corruption, and repair basic services in the country’s towns and cities.
He said South Africans deserve local governments that work, and ultimately a DA-led national government run with the same accountability and competence.
“We will protect the money you pay for water and electricity so it is spent on those services, appoint people because they can do the job rather than because of their politics, cut the red tape that holds back jobs and investment, and hold those who waste or steal public money accountable.”
ANC stands by manifesto
The ANC has defended its manifesto launch, held over two days in Riverside, Diepsloot, saying the turnout showed the party is still a movement of the people. National spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu said the choice of venue reflected the ANC’s commitment to taking major political events directly to communities.
Bhengu said the party has adopted rigorous selection criteria to identify capable leaders ahead of the announcement of its final mayoral candidates in September.
“The ANC has acknowledged weaknesses in local government and committed itself to decisive self-correction.”
She said the ANC was encouraged by the turnout in Diepsloot and the strong representation of women among its mayoral nominees as it enters the elections renewed and committed to reclaim lost ground.
“The ANC will honour this support through disciplined service, continued engagement with communities and decisive action to fix local government, improve service delivery and build a better life for all.”
