The culture of stealing from municipal coffers with impunity will end after November 1.
That is according to Abantu Integrity Movement (AIM) leader and mayoral candidate Khusta Jack.
But only if he is elected to the position after the local government elections.
Jack was speaking at the Nangoza Jebe Hall in New Brighton on Thursday evening.
The party is contesting all the wards in the Bay, with Jack confident the party will shock other parties when they win the metro outright after the elections.
“Municipal business is stuck in the procurement and supply chain processes while the crooks are busy looking for a way to cook the books and award dodgy tenders to their cronies,” he said.
He said AIM’s 10-point plan was anchored on three key deliverables.
This included ending the political circus in the council which had resulted in the metro being led by five mayors in five years and introducing a new culture of servant leadership that put residents’ interests first, all leading to an improvement of service delivery.
The 10-point plan includes:
- A unifying vision for the metro;
- A functioning council;
- A capable and professional municipality;
- Service delivery and infrastructure development for all;
- Economic development to drive growth and jobs;
- Community development to drive community wellbeing;
- Environmental stewardship for the children’s sake;
- Fiscal discipline;
- Empowering the vulnerable; and
- Building external relationships.
“We want to govern the metro properly with good governance. If each of you just convinces 10 people, we’ll get into council,” Jack said.
He said the party’s first step would be to remove politicians from the day-to-day management of municipal business.
“Our councillors will do what they are elected to do. They will attend community meetings.
“The role of councillors is to play an oversight function and give strategic direction,” Jack said.
He said community safety was a core focus of AIM.
“We all know that the best development initiatives will not succeed while criminals are marauding on our streets.
“Our four-pronged approach starts with addressing the root causes of crime, which are unemployment and poverty,” he said.
Jack said community involvement was critical to shut down criminals and no number of police could win the war against crime without the community’s involvement.
“Khusta Jack is back. We are ready for thieves. We will govern according to the principles.
“AIM is not a small thing, its serious business, it’s going to win,” he said.
Ward 59 councillor candidate Maxhoba Buwa said the party’s goal was to create a vision for the people.
“We are saying to residents, choose AIM and vote for change,” he said.
Siphokazi Geza, contesting for Ward 50, said when the party was elected it would constantly check on the municipality’s competency.
“We will create a conducive working environment so that the employees can work to their best ability.
“There would be no after-hours caucus. It will be a workforce eager to work and be aligned with the vision,” she said.
Anti-apartheid activist Mike Xego said he shared Jack’s sentiments and was happy with the selection of the candidates and the party’s plans.
“I will not say much about Khusta. He is like a twin to me, but the representatives are good candidates.
“They could also represent the party in parliament,” he said.
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