![vmexsa logo [front]](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%206490%201012'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The Democratic Alliance has named Kingsol Chabalala as its mayoral candidate for Emfuleni ahead of this year’s local government elections in Palm Springs, south of Johannesburg, on Saturday.
Chabalala’s announcement follows that of fellow party member Mokete Motsamai, who was unveiled as the face of the campaign [mayoral hopeful] for the Lesedi local municipality over a week ago.
Amongst those in attendance were Midvaal mayor Peter Teixeira, Emfuleni central constituency head Dady Mollo, Midvaal development and planning MMC Mokete Motsamai, member of parliament Dennis Ryder and Gauteng provincial chairperson Fred Nel.
Ironically, this is an area which is a stronghold for the ANC and where a number of its leaders – namely, Mlungisi Hlongwane, Jacob Khawe and Thulani Kunene, to name a few – resided; however, today it’s in shambles and resembles a shadow of its former self.
Federal Council Chair Helen Zille, speaking to attendees, stressed that the municipality’s current crisis has a straightforward resolution: electing alternative political leadership. “Has anyone thought of that” she asked.
“That is how you solve your problems, and while Panyaza [Lesufi] has run out of ideas to salvage [Emfuleni] and does not know what to do, we have not. We know what to do; we have plans and policies.
“Under the ANC, Emfuleni returned R640 million of unspent money to the national treasury that could have been used to fix things that are broken here.”
ALSO READ | Lesufi clarifies contentious water challenge comments
Zille applauded Mayor Teixeira and his team in Midvaal but cautioned that the voters put them there.
“The voters made a choice in 1996 that they want a town that works. They made a choice, and look what they got [twelve consecutive clean audits].
“We run the most financially sustainable municipality in the country that’s attracting business and where unemployment is coming down and everybody has basic services,” she highlighted.
Tragically, Zille stated that despite it being one of the worst-run municipalities, they will never give up on Emfuleni.
She added, “By comparison with Midvaal, the difference is that people in Midvaal made the choice to succeed, while the people in Emfuleni have made a choice to fail.
“The nice thing about democracy is that you can change your mind; that is why we have elections every five years. Enough is enough.”
Chabalala’s plans to salvage Emfuleni
Speaking to this publication, Chabalala expressed delight at being recognised to lead the Blue Wave in the upcoming elections and made a promise not to disappoint the party and the residents.
“We are gunning for majority votes where we can be held accountable. Previous attempts to oust the ANC through a motion of no confidence fell short at the eleventh hour as a result of minority political parties working with the ANC.
“Water leaks flood our streets for weeks and months while residents go without supply. Transformers exploded and were not replaced.
“Communities rely on failed sanitation, stripping our people of their dignity. Refuse collection has declined, illegal dumping is widespread, and the auditor-general’s report highlights financial mismanagement and irregular expenditure in Emfuleni.
“All that we are pleading for from the residents of Emfuleni who are tired of corruption, nepotism and lack of service delivery is for them to go out in their numbers and cast their votes for an alternative party in order to change their current situation.
“We are asking for only five years of administration, and if we have not delivered, then they can vote us out,” he concluded.
Creative | Nerd | Media Junky | Scribe |
Bitten by a media bug in the late 90’s – As a bona-fide Journo, he boast extensive expertise in print, online and broadcast medium and continues to strive to be the best version of himself.