By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) launched its Local Government Elections Manifesto in Benoni, Ekurhuleni, focusing on clean governance, ethical leadership, cutting wasteful expenditure, and rebuilding decaying municipal infrastructure.
ACDP leader Reverend Kenneth Meshoe said the party will bring a new crop of leaders focused on accountability and clean governance.
“Well, they have the right to lose hope with the current crop of leaders they have. But now with the ACDP, they will be having a different crop of individuals, people who are capable, and people who keep their weight.
“So a promise is that South Africa will not remain the same. If they put us in those offices, they elect our mayoral candidates, then they will see. They will ask themselves the question, why did we wait so long?” Meshoe said.
He said an ACDP administration would appoint officials on competence rather than patronage and hold them personally answerable for losses.
“South Africa needs municipal managers appointed because they can manage municipalities, engineers appointed because they understand engineering, financial officers appointed because they understand public finance, supply chain officials who understand procurement, and councilors who understand that public office is not an opportunity for self enrichment,” he said.
“We want accounting officers to be held responsible for material irregularities. Where corruption is proven, there must be prosecution and appropriate recovery of losses. We want whistleblowers and forensic officials to be projected,” he said.
He said the water crisis in the country was largely due to failures of management and stewardship.
“Our manifesto therefore commits us to protecting and developing our freshwater resources, holding failing municipalities accountable, employing competent engineers, technicians, plumbers, repairing and faulty missions, removing illegal water connections, acting against sewage pollution, and ensuring that reliable municipal water supplies reach the taps of our residents,” he said.
“We support municipalities in good financial standing, purchasing and generating more of their own electricity… We must also insist… on maintaining the infrastructure we already have, added Meshoe.
He said the ACDP’s vision and manifesto encompassed a “Christian vision of local government… unapologetic, founded on biblical principles”.
Read the full manifesto here: https://acdp.org.za/MiniManifesto2026LGE.pdf.