By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The African National Congress (ANC) took to the streets of Tshwane in an attempt to regain control of the city from the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) coalition.
Secretary general Fikile Mbalula was among the party’s national, provincial, and regional leadership that led hundreds of ANC supporters to the steps of the metro’s headquarters, Tshwane House, under the banner #BuyaTshwane [come back Tshwane] on Friday afternoon.
He said in the seven years that it’s been at the helm, the DA has been rocked by scandals against its mayors and allegations of maladministration while he also accused the party of segregating the delivery of services to the detriment of black communities.
“Our people here in Tshwane are suffering and it has forced the ANC to not zip but stand up for our people and where possible work together with other parties to work for the good governance of Tshwane,” said Mbalula.
While he pointed out the auditor general’s report, which paints a concerning picture of the city’s finances, among the myriad of administrative and leadership challenges in Tshwane, Mbalula said the ANC admits that they too failed when they were in power.
“All that we are interested in is to get this municipality back. Bankrupt as it is. Because what is important is stability and [service] delivery and our people are crying for services on the ground. We are genuine as the ANC to say that this coalition of the DA would not have come into place if we ourselves did not make mistakes.”
The ANC accused the DA of reversing the gains it made, such as the provision of free wifi, and stalling key infrastructure projects.
ANC first deputy secretary-general, Nomvula Mokonyane read out the memorandum of demands that was received by newly elected council speaker, Mncedisi Ndzwanana.
As political parties begin the jostle for relevance ahead of next year’s general elections, Mbalula said the crumbling coalitions, especially in the country’s metros were the result of voter apathy in the 2021 local government elections.
“Our people did not come out in their numbers to vote, but they didn’t vote for any oppositions, they simply stayed at home. This the product of that stay-at-home, coalitions that we got in the metros and what we have seen is maladministration and lack of governance in our metros like what we have seen here in Tshwane,” Mbalula added.
With the Economic Freedom Fighters gearing up to march against the ANC-led government, calling for President Cyril Ramaphosa to resign, the ANC secretary general took a swipe at the red berets accusing them of putting the livelihoods of the poor at risk by calling for the shutdown.
“There is no need to close the streets. You must march and you will be listened to. This is a democracy. South Africa is not a banana republic.”
Mbalula said his party also had its sights on the DA-led Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality and all other municipalities led by the DA or a DA-led coalition.
The DA has rubbished most of the claims made by the ANC saying this was cheap politicking leading up to the national elections next year.