Axe us if we don’t deliver, Mayor tells IDP summit
24 April 2017
Johannesburg Executive Mayor, Herman Mashaba, on Saturday April 22 boldly told the city’s residents to vote his administration out should it fail to deliver on its promises.
Speaking at the Region E Integrated Development Plan (IDP) Summit at the Central Johannesburg College in Alexandra, Mayor Mashaba said should his administration not achieve its 5% economic growth target, voters should not hesitate to exercise their democratic right in 2021 and unseat it.
Security around the venue, which was packed to capacity, was very tight after several IDP regional summits were disrupted by unruly groups over the past week. Unlike in the earlier IDP summit in Finetown in Region G, which was also addressed by the Mayor, proceedings went off peacefully.
The IDP process gives residents the opportunity to make an input on how their respective areas could be developed.
The regional IDP summits are taking place ahead of the Mayor's State of the City Address on May 3 and the delivery of the 2017-2018 Budget by Member of the Mayoral Committee for Finance, Cllr Rabelani Dagada, a short while later.
Mayor Mashaba told Region E residents that when politicians abused them they should vote them out.
“Ensure you use your vote to determine the economic development of the city,” he said.
“This IDP belongs to you. The IDP is a tool that allows the City of Johannesburg to serve you. You said you wanted change and since you have spoken on August 3 local government elections, it will not be business as usual from now. You gave us the mandate for change. This coalition is the best formula for democracy, which obliges us to be accountable to the people. If we don’t deliver you must vote us out.”
The meeting was attended by Members of the Mayoral Committee including Cllrs Nico de Jager (Environment and Infrastructure Services), Mpho Phalatse (Health and Social Development), Nonhlanhla Sifumba (Community Development), Nonhlanhla Makhuba (Transport), Michael Sun (Public Safety) and Sharon Peetz (Economic Development) as well as Chief Whip Kevin Wax, Chair of Chairs Alex Christians and Regional Director Liziwe Makoro.
Mayor Mashaba said the days of nepotism and political favours were over. He also said his administration was unapologetic about being pro-poor and regarding corruption as its public enemy No 1.
He said criminals were not welcome in Johannesburg as criminality had a negative effect on economic development.
During the meeting, residents' demands ranged from the shortage of land, housing and schools to poor drainage systems and leaking roofs.
Samuel Moseli of Ward 32 said there was no development in his ward and wanted to know from the Mayor how he was going to reduce unemployment.
Roselyn Ramakgala complained about the lack of title deeds for their properties
Violet Mafoko of Alexandra Women’s Hostel asked Mashaba to convert the hostel into family units.
Percy Smith urged the Mayor to bring back the Alexandra Renewal Project, which he claimed had been “hijacked by mafia in the area”.