ALBERTON – Councillors traded barbs about service delivery, infrastructure development and who represented the true state of the city.
ANC representatives complimented the executive mayor’s portrayal of the condition of Ekurhuleni, which acknowledged the challenges that exist for the EMM and presented optimistic goals as a future solution.
Opposition parties cast doubt on the value of the Aerotropolis program; the credibility of the metro’s ability to implement promises made and many complained about the length of the mayor’s speech. Opposing councillors asked the mayor to allay fears using specific data to refute particular problems faced by councillors in their districts.
Alberton Councillor Estelle Visser weighed in on the mayor’s speech to give a local perspective. The councillor asked two main questions of the executive mayor. Cllr Visser first asked where the proposed funds would come from to fund all the initiatives proposed by the mayor as the municipality already is facing difficulties with the collection of funds. She expressed her reservations about the progressive ideas announced in the speech as a possible tactic to attract voters in 2016.
“In the past the mayor has also made promises. How many of these promises are part of his campaign? Is he really committed to improving the lives of the people of this city?” the councillor asked.
