DA Challenges Executive Mayor to Step up and Serve the Residents of Ekurhuleni
by Ald Tania Campbell — DA Leader in Ekurhuleni
Date: 1 December 2020
Release: Immediate
Type: Media Statement
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Ekurhuleni has challenged the Executive Mayor, Cllr Mzwandile Masina, to step up and serve the residents of Ekurhuleni, instead of merely paying lip-service.
This comes after the Executive Mayor had to endure a bruising response from DA speakers, who highlighted Cllr Masina’s poor performance at the helm of the ANC-led coalition in the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE).
As the DA, we called on Cllr Masina to remove the red tape and get businesses to invest in Ekurhuleni, if we are going to tackle the high levels of unemployment, which we are struggling with across the city, which is higher than the national average.
But to do this, we need to be open for business and get the basics right. Our billing system is currently in shambles and residents and businesses struggle to get the correct billing accounts as interim readings have become the norm. This means services are disconnected by the City for non-payment, despite inaccurate readings. This is crippling businesses who need support, now, more than ever as they try to recover from the current COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition, our basic services are failing at a rapid rate. Residents across Ekurhuleni have to endure days without electricity, due to electrical infrastructural failure, while others had to endure water outages.
We do, however, welcome the mayor’s decision to follow the DA’s mandate of providing dignity to our people. This includes the allocation of funds to electrify informal settlements as well as improving the refuse removal services to informal settlements across the City. Not only will this improve the lives of people but create a controlled and manageable environment curbing illegal connections and a healthier environment.
We cannot allow the uncaring ANC-coalition to trample on communities. It’s time for the Mayor to stop grandstanding on Twitter and deliver on his mandate to deliver basic services to all residents and businesses of Ekurhuleni.
Ald Tania Campbell
DA Leader in Ekurhuleni
