Lotus Atteridgeville Saulsville Civics Association (LASCA) has expressed concern about whoever would be the incoming mayor in the City of Tshwane this Wednesday.
LASCA expressed this concern in a statement released to the media on Friday, wherein the organisation pointed out that the fact that various political parties have each nominated different candidates for the mayoral position is an indication that this whole thing about the mayoral position is not about residents, but all about politicians.
According to LASCA leader Tshepo Mahlangu, the ANC has put out names of three people from which it will evebtually choose its mayoral candidate.
They are Tshwane ANC Regional Secretary George Matjila, Regional Chairperson Bones Modise and former Councillor Dr Kgoshi Maepa.
“The DA still prefers Cilliers Brink while ActionSA prefers Dr Nasiphi Moya,” said Mahlangu.
“Whoever the incoming mayor turns out to be, he or she must prove that she is worthy of wearing the mayoral chain of the Capital City of South Africa,” he said.
“However, we regard the incoming mayor as a mere regent, a temporary place holder as we will be going to local government elections 18 months from now,” said Mahlangu.
“As LASCA our concern is whether the incoming mayor will prioritise service delivery or not in the townships and informal settlements,” said Mahlangu.
“We don’t want a repeat of what Cilliers Brink did by marginalising and undermining disadvantaged township and informal settlement residents,” he said.
Mahlangu pointed out that his organisation wants to see the deferred Debt Write-Off report being tabled in Council for approval so that historical debts which stem mainly from estimated bills get cancelled by the City of Tshwane Municipality.
“Service delivery is a key issue and as residents we want to contribute to revenue collection, but we want to do so in a sustainable and affordable manner in terms of Section 152.1(a-e) of the Local Government objectives.
Mahlangu said no political party must campaign for the mayoral position using the deferred Debt Write-Off report as none of them have ever believed in it because they have never implemented it.
He also lashed out at the Coalition Government system used at various municipalities including Tshwane, saying they are a marriage of convenience, are unstable, unregulated and that they benefit only politicians and not voters.
“Through our giraffe approach we foresee another instability in Tshwane if ActionSA does not feel properly accommodated in the new coalition arrangement,” he said.
He stressed that Coalition governments at municipal level are all about political parties sabotaging one another instead of prioritising the residents.
“We will be closely monitoring proceedings on Wednesday during the election of the new mayor and will be in Council because residents in all seven regions of Tshwane have given us the mandate to hold the municipal government to account,” warned Mahlangu.
“The incoming regent mayor must not undermine the will of the people, otherwise history will judge he/ her very harshly,” he said.