The State of the Municipality Address by the Mayor of the Emfuleni Local Municipality, Hassan Mako, was filled with promises of a new economic city, a student town and even an airport.
The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus), however, would like to know how a municipality that struggles to provide basic service delivery will be able to execute such projects.
The so-called “New Vaal” project is presented as a major economic rescue plan that includes an international airport, a student town, an agricultural hub and a special economic zone.
It sounds impressive, but the project currently lacks funding and realistic timelines. Without financial stability and basic service delivery, it is just a political promise, not a viable plan.
The harsh reality is that Emfuleni struggles to pay major service providers and contractors from month to month.
Painting the Eskom debt relief of R3,8 billion, which was recently announced, as a “new” stream of revenue is misleading residents. Debt relief is subject to strict conditions and financial reforms.
The real test is whether Emfuleni can stabilise its finances, manage debt, increase revenue and prevent further decline.
Mako should stop selling debt relief as a political victory, and explain how it will improve service delivery instead.
The promise that corruption and mismanagement are now top priority is also questionable. The party would like to know how much money has been recovered, how many disciplinary cases have been finalised, how many officials have been held accountable, how many irregular contracts have been terminated, and how much money is lost annually through squandering and poor financial controls?
The Freedom Front Plus’s message to the Mayor is simple: Restore Emfuleni first, and then start building the future.
The Freedom Front Plus’s priorities are:
• Restore finances
• Stop squandering and corruption
• Improve revenue collection
• Reduce water and electricity losses
• Repair water and sewerage infrastructure
• Maintain existing roads and infrastructure
• Restore trust between the Municipality, residents and businesses
• And then create a sustainable platform for growth and investment
It is the Freedom Front Plus’s time – time to govern Emfuleni in a new way. On 4 November, vote for the Freedom Front Plus, which will restore service delivery before building a bright future.
