The African National Congress (ANC) in Gauteng is trying to persuade the Patriotic Alliance’s (PA) Gayton McKenzie not break ranks with the coalition partners to join ActionSA and support the party in its motion of no confidence against Mayor Thapelo Amad.
This week McKenzie apologised to the City of Joburg for supporting the elections of Amad for the Mayorship of Joburg following a television interview where Amad battled to explain what he said was a loan procured by the City to deal with its debt.
ANC Provincial Chairperson Panyaza Lesufi in a media briefing in Johannesburg today said the party was reaching out to its coalition partners in a bid to close rank.
“The Patriotic Alliance have officially declared that they have been wooed by the DA, ActionSA to vote (out) the Mayor they jointly fielded in Johannesburg” he said.
“We note this opportunistic motion intending to destabilise our municipalities. We have taken a decision to consult with all our coalition partners in Johannesburg”.
Ahmad has been under fire largely because of a series of disastrous media engagements.
PA President Gayton McKenzie said they will vote with ActionSA motion of no confidence against Amad because the residents of Joburg deserve better.
“We do this not for ourselves but because the residents deserve better. We voted for this man, which may be forgivable. To not remove him now would be unforgivable,” Mckenzie said, adding that he is willing to throw his name in the hat to be the next sheriff in town.
“If the DA, Freedom Front +, IFP, ACDP, UIM and others support the removal of Amad we will need to elect a new mayor. I will put my name in the hat for the job. I don’t have to be the mayor at all costs, but Joburg has been falling apart and someone needs to step up.
“It is obvious that Johannesburg has become a mafia city run by criminals. Whoever becomes the mayor must have no fear to break up the criminal cartels and restore the shine of the city of light.
“Our city is being strangled by the construction mafia, by Black Axe, by zama zamas literally hollowing us out from under our feet, but most especially networks of patronage and corruption that penetrate all levels of our city, including the City of Johannesburg’s administration.”
He said the City of Gold needs a mayor who will restore law and order to the streets but wont’ take a salary and will donate the money to charity.
“I will not use the municipal vehicles or bodyguards. This is not about what I will be able to take but what I am willing to give. It is about service and country duty.
“As I did in the Central Karoo, I will work as the Joburg Mayor for no more than one year. Only one year is needed to remodel our great city and restore its shine. In the Central Karoo, after one year, investment – and hope – have boomed.”
He said in Central Karoo, there is financial stability.
“TheR4.5 billion dry port is in place. The housing projects are going ahead. The civic centre will be built. Perhaps most importantly, many of the small things, the little details, are now being prioritised.
In Central Karoo, I replaced all the pit latrines with flushing toilets and fixed most of the swimming pools, giving children a chance to enjoy their community. Imagine what is possible in a city of boundless potential. Let’s imagine a better city for our children.”
He said small businesses have thrived in the Central Karoo.
“We turned dilapidated infrastructure into free workspaces for entrepreneurs to get a sustainable start. Everywhere you look in Joburg, you can do this 1000 times over, creating an economic boom for all.”
He said the beacon of hope about Joburg must be restored.
“People will say they are going ‘to Maboneng’, to the bright lights, when they speak of Joburg. The City of Gold has always been a beacon of hope to our people and it needs to be a place again where dreams are born and not where they go to die.”
The motion is expected to be tabled in council on 25 of April.
