ANC leader acknowledges public frustration, vows action on key issues

President Cyril Ramaphosa at the ANC’s 114th anniversary celebrations

The African National Congress (ANC) president Cyril Ramaphosa says his party is focused on addressing what many people perceive to be the weaknesses of the country’s constitutional democracy and their frustration with problems, including unemployment and poor service delivery.

South Africans go to the polls in local government elections this year.

The ANC leader was delivering the party’s January 8 Statement at the Moruleng Stadium in North West, where he addresses ongoing challenges related to poor service delivery and high unemployment.

Ramaphosa says the party has some key issues to focus on. He announces that government will invest R54 billion over the next three years to repair and upgrade water and electricity infrastructure. He says the funding will be rolled out across several areas, with a strong focus on the country’s metros, as government moves to safe guard water infrastructure an issue that has long troubled many communities.

He acknowledges the organisation’s shortcomings in failing to connect with communities and issued a stern warning to elected officials, saying those who do not perform risk being removed from their positions.

The President notes, however, that there has been a significant improvement in electricity supply in recent months.

ANC Jan 8 | ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers the party’s January 8 Statement

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkxOlSnRZxs

Underperforming councilors

Earlier the ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu reiterated the party’s stance that underperforming councilors will be removed. Bhengu spoke to SABC NEWS ahead of the ANC’s anniversary celebrations.

According to the Auditor General’s report, the North West province is home to some of the country’s dysfunctional municipalities. The ANC is in charge of four district municipalities and 18 municipalities.

“There’s a lot of work that is being done. Recently, some few days ago, the Secretary-General reiterated our message and our message is that we’re going to remove councillors that are underperforming, mayors that are underperforming and those that are unethical. We are going to remove them. The roll call was just held late last year. We are rolling out the work of performance management.”