FF Plus Councillor and former MMC for Community Safety Grandi Theunissen insists that the deposed Tshwane Coalition Government was on the right track and delivering on its mandate.
In an interview with Tshwane Talks on Monday, Theunissen said the following:
“As FF Plus we will maintain our position as we believe that the trajectory of the former multi-party coalition government is in the best interest of the people of Tshwane and we believe that the best option for us is to support Cilliers Brink and we will, like in the past, continue to serve the community with integrity.”
He said this will ensure stability and continue to repair and build a better Tshwane for all through clean and honest governance, supported by a professional, impartial administration,” he said.
Tshwane Talks then engaged Theunissen in a question and answer session to find out more from him regarding FF Plus’ stance ahead of the election of the new mayor in the City of Tshwane on Wednesday.
Q1. Are we likely to see FF Plus working hand-in-hand with the EFF?
A: No, we will not work with the EFF. The EFF are breakers and not builders. They have only been destructive and have threatened to undo much of the progress that has been made so far.
Q2. What is the mandate that you have received from your national leader regarding the issue of voting for a new mayor?
A: The mandate is to support Cilliers Brink and our national leader has trust in our local leadership and supports our stance.
Q3.Tell us about your relationship with the DA in the City of Tshwane?
A: We have a good working relationship with the DA built on a set of common goals and principles in terms of service delivery, based on good governance.
Q4: Will your party ever trust ActionSA again?
A: ActionSA has irrevocably broken our trust over the past six weeks, therefore we can never trust them again.
Q5: Which party will you be voting with on Wednesday?
A: We are on record that we support Cilliers Brink as together we have a proven track record of making good progress in turning Tshwane in the right direction with a lot of work still remaining to be done.
Q6: Are we likely to see your party making a U-turn on Wednesday regarding voting for Brink?
A: The FF Plus is a party with integrity and we regard our word to be our honour and therefore we will not make U-turn.
Q7: Which political parties have approached you as FF Plus regarding which way to vote on Wednesday?
A: We have received an enquiry from the ANC as to whether we will consider cooperation with them in a government of local unity based on the model of the GNU.
Q8: And how are talks going in this regard?
A: No formal discussions have taken place thus far.