IFP president Velenkosini Hlabisa has promised Gauteng residents that his party’s councillors will fight corruption and ensure the delivery of basic services in the province.
Speaking at the provincial manifesto launch in Mofolo, Soweto, Hlabisa said it believes in leadership that is accountable to the people who elect it. He told thousands of IFP members that all the councillors who will be elected by the party have signed a contract of good governance as local government representatives.
“All our candidates have entered into a contract with you as voters to remain faithful, corrupt free and ensure open, inclusive participatory governance. Our councillors will serve with integrity, be accountable to you, treat you with dignity and respect and always consult you regularly and give feedback to you.
“Our councillors will be your voice in all council meetings because we will always work for you and with you. This is the commitment the IFP and its representatives make to the people of SA and this province,” Hlabisa said.
The IFP has been one of the parties that have played a key role in deciding who governs Johannesburg.
After the 2016 local government elections, it supported the DA-led coalition, which later collapsed. The party then became part of the new coalition government that returned power to the ANC in the country’s economic hub.
In an interview with the Sowetan ahead of yesterday’s manifesto launch, IFP provincial leader Bonginkosi Dhlamini said in the DA-led coalition there had been no respect for partners.
“In 2016, we were part of a coalition that ensured that we fight corruption. Instead of that happening, we found the opposite and Mashaba put us under the bus by resigning. When he resigned, both the EFF and the DA did not engage the IFP to say how do we move forward as partners,” Dhlamini said.
He said the party will ensure there is no corruption wherever it leads and where its councillors are found.
Currently, the IFP heads two portfolios in the City of Johannesburg – transport and housing. The party is also part of a coalition government in Mogale City. The party will contest all 274 wards in Gauteng.
Dhlamini said it would accelerate the refurbishment of hostels in the province, an issue that has troubled previous administrations. Hostels are a legacy of apartheid, which have for decades been a difficult issue for the democratic government to address.
Dhlamini argued that for the police to address hostel problems was wrong as it assumed that everyone who lived in hostels are employed and do not want to be permanent residents of Gauteng.
“People who live in hostels said we are residents like everyone. Give us RDP walk-ups. The people said other residents are getting RDP units, why are we expected to pay rent. We then agreed with department of human settlements that hostels be refurbished and become RDP units.
“Now hostels are being refurbished. Yes, residents of hostels will be a priority but when there is excess, surrounding community members will also benefit,” Dhlamini said.
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