The DA in Ekurhuleni presented its version of the state of the metro two days before the mayor of Ekurhuleni, Mondli Gungubele, presented his state of the city address on Wednesday.
The DA held a press conference on Monday on an open piece of veld near the Makause squatter camp in Pretoria Road, Germiston.
Fortune Mahano (leader of the DA caucus in Ekurhuleni), John Moody (leader of the DA in Gauteng) and some portfolio spokesmen from the DA addressed the press.
Although these speakers were calling the metro a “careotropolis”, the DA councillors and portfolio spokesmen from the party each held posters with photographs highlighting the current problems of decay and problems with waste removal in the metro.
John Moody says people across Gauteng are currently suffering more than ever before.
He says to create a better life for every one, the government has to start with its leadership, saying it seems as if the president of our country does not care about the people of South Africa.
He says it is the aim of the DA to not to only highlight the negatives, but provide workable alternatives – this is why they call Ekurhuleni a careotropolis.
Fortune Mahano says the DA is appalled and disgusted about the metro’s current state of filth and squalor, which Makause was an example.
He says the DA believes people are the most important resource of the metro and that these people have rights to a better life for themselves and their children.
Mahano says informal settlements were supposed to be eradicated by 2014, but this never happened.
He feels the metro is in a deep crisis, because the government fails to deliver on service delivery and the metro limps on with its ageing infrastructure of lack and maintenance.
“The careotropolis, led by the DA, is attainable when the people of Ekurhuleni stand up for what they want and deserve,” says Mahano.
Eddie Tayor, the DA spokesman for finance says the state of the metro is a mess and on the decline, with breaking infrastructure.
He says the causes of this state of decline are the poor management of the metro’s personnel and the metro not being able to manage its finances.
Tracey Butler, spokesman for environmental development, says recycling has to be a core function of the metro, but it is ignored.
She also feels that air quality has to to measured more efficiently.
With only a gazebo erected on the open piece of veld and no chairs to sit, the three members of the local press who attended had no chance for questions on the issues raised.
