VANDERBIJLPARK.- The African National Congress (ANC) in Sedibeng remains steadfast that they are going to retain the existing municipalities in the upcoming local government elections and improve local people’s lives.
Speaking exclusively to Sedibeng Ster following recent reports of coruption in the ELM, on Monday, ANC chairperson and current mayor of Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) Simon Mofokeng said that a win for his party in all municipalities is inevitable.
Mofokeng said that he has been in politics in the region for over 30 years and that although he is an engineer by profession, politics have always been his first love.
“I was responsible for Local Economic Development (LED) in this municipality over a decade ago and together with my peers we developed a concept of economic hubs and corridors which would bring business to our areas.”
Being in the fourth term as the chairperson of ANC in this region, Mofokeng is the longest serving chairperson in the region,. He was moved to the ELM last November. Mofokeng said that it was the ANC’s decision to bring him to ELM from the Sedibeng District Municipality and that he does not see this as a demotion as many people would think, as the Sedibeng District Municipality is incapable hands.
“I came to the ELM deployed with a clear mandate to focus on the performance of the municipality as a whole by rooting out corruption and improving service delivery. Service delivery takes place in local municipalities which are the closest sphere of government to our people and this is very important to the ANC and all its members and leaders. ANC is sending its most experinced people to local government where important socital issues are in the control of leaders of local government.”
Since his arrival in November last year Mofokeng says that he has implemented a programme called ‘Getting the basics right, our programme for restoration’ which he says is aimed at the ‘difficult task’ of completing all incomplete projects, stabilise cash flow, increase revenue which will directly lead to improved service delivery.
“These are the key deliverables which we will continue to pursue post-election because we remain a people-centred municipality. I only arrived in November and I must thank the previous administration for all their work which heralded my arrival at this municipality,” Mofokeng said adding that he encourages community members to pay for their services as 90% of the money the municipality uses comes from them with 10% coming from the national treasury.
Mofokeng also made mention that his administration is the one that came with the process of the forensic investigations into allegations of corruption in the ELM and that the current revelation of names of people being investigated is compromising the process. “The report will be out once it is finalised, there is no need for people to compromise the current investigation process.”
Mofokeng said that since his arrival 15 people have been suspended while 2 have been fired adding that they (ELM) have implemented social systems such as WhattsApp and an SMS line which has been active since July 1 (083 232 8480).
“ This is an exciting era, our members of the community will be pleased to hear that we have introduced social media-based monitoring and evaluation mechanisims to make it possible for our teams to report defects and related service delivery challenges. through these platforms, our people will have an opportunity to report crime, corruption and make other important community announcements. We are gearing towards becoming a Smart City.” The mayor said that R18 million has been put aside on the current budget for Expanded Public Work Projects (EPWP).
“We are going to source qualified students whom we will give an opportunity to work with qualified and capable people in their different fields so that we have qualifield young people in future. We mean business and we are going to retain the municipalities that we govern and also win Midvaal. We are also going to kick out the DA in Wards 16, 25,15 and 4, this I guarantee you. We are geared up for a new and stable region,” concluded Mofokeng.
