By: Maxhoba Buwa, AIM Secretary General
The Abantu Integrity Movement (AIM) calls on all parties in the metro to put the people first. Representatives should honour the promises made to voters.
AIM condemns the ongoing “circle of chaos” in the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality.
It is clear that the African National Congress (ANC) and Democratic Alliance (DA) do not have the welfare of the citizens of Nelson Mandela Bay at heart. They place the agendas of their national offices and their personal interests ahead of those of the people whom they profess to represent.
As a result, the council continues to be dysfunctional despite the best efforts of the coalition of smaller parties which have formed a block in order to stand up for the citizens of the metro against the national parties which use Nelson Mandela Bay as a pawn in a bigger political game.
The failure to appoint a permanent Municipal Manager and to pass the adjusted budget are two cases in point where the two main parties have similar agendas.
AIM was party to a transparent and thorough selection process which identified the most suitable candidate – a young professional who would bring order to the chaos which is the state of city management at present.
Regrettably, it seems the ANC and DA want to restart the process so that their preferred candidates – both of whom were excluded through the selection process – can apply again.
Six meetings in a row were cancelled because the two main parties were grandstanding over the 2021/2022 adjustment budget.
It is the poor who are suffering, not the councillors nor their bosses in Luthuli House and Cape Town.
Municipal structure is falling apart or being stolen, and businesses are either closing down or leaving – resulting in more job losses, which in turn raises the level of crime.
There is also evidence of a brain drain, which is making local companies less competitive.
To quote our volunteer in chief Khusta Jack, “as residents we have had enough of politicians who sacrifice service delivery for their personal gain, or who kowtow to national agendas. The metro needs to be led by the people of the metro”.
AIM calls on all councillors to see themselves as residents first and politicians second.
Our mandate is to ensure that the metro works for the good of its citizens.
Statement released by the Abantu Integrity Movement (AIM)
For information contact Ed Richardson on 083 656 9757
Video: Abantu Integrity Movement’s (AIM) statement on continued “circle of chaos” in municipality
More Info on Abantu Integrity Movement’s (AIM) statement on continued “circle of chaos” in municipality here: https://www.aim4change.org.za/
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