DA proposes private sector involvement for municipal services and anti-corruption measures
DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis announced the party's election manifesto in Newtown, Johannesburg, focusing on improving basic services and combating corruption in local government. Hill-Lewis stated that the DA plans to involve the private sector in providing water and electricity services, ensuring that funds collected for these services are ringfenced for their intended purpose, such as repairing infrastructure. He also suggested that towns should be able to manage their own power supply and use private companies for water system repairs when municipalities lack the capacity. Additionally, the DA aims to partner with businesses to restore public facilities like parks and clinics. The manifesto also addresses corruption and cadre deployment, with Hill-Lewis promising that municipal jobs will be based on merit rather than political connections. He committed to fixing billing systems, making procurement transparent, and enhancing the investigative powers of municipal law enforcement. Furthermore, the DA plans to reduce administrative burdens and red tape for small businesses and informal traders, simplifying permits and creating designated trading spaces.