🇿🇦South AfricaSouthern Africa
Geordin Hill-Lewis describes Ekurhuleni as a "gangster's paradise" amid corruption allegations
via The Citizen2 min read
DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis stated in Boksburg on Wednesday that the City of Ekurhuleni has become a "gangster's paradise" for corrupt politicians and officials. His comments follow new information emerging from the Madlanga Commission concerning maladministration and the alleged looting of municipal funds through a sophisticated corruption network. Hill-Lewis asserted that "everything in Ekurhuleni is corrupted" and that "State Capture never ended in Ekurhuleni," describing the city as the "epicentre of what is known as the Gangster State." He linked current service delivery issues, such as broken roads, substations, and water systems, to the alleged pillaging of state resources. Hill-Lewis urged voters to support the party's mayoral candidate, Khathu Rasilingwane, in the upcoming elections on November 4, stating that she offers the "strong medicine" needed to restore honesty and combat corruption in the city. He expressed belief that Ekurhuleni can be improved, citing examples of DA governance in other areas like Cape Town and the Western Cape as proof that a government can be clean.
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The Democratic Alliance DA in Gauteng has expressed shock following the African National Congress's ANC announcement of Hassan Mako as its mayoral candidate for the Emfuleni Local Municipality. Mako previously served as the MMC for Finance under former mayor Sipho Radebe, who was removed due to service delivery failures. The DA's mayoral candidate for Emfuleni, Kingsol Chabalala, stated that Mako was part of the leadership that led to the municipality's decline, citing his failure to restore financial stability and the municipality's ongoing debt to Eskom and Rand Water. Chabalala questioned Mako's ability to effectively lead as mayor, suggesting residents are tired of "recycled leaders." In contrast, Mzi Khumalo, spokesperson for the ANC's Gauteng Provincial Task Team, affirmed confidence in Mako, highlighting his extensive experience as a community development worker, ward councillor, and former MMC for Finance. Khumalo noted that Mako's selection followed a rigorous interview process by ANC National Office Bearers. Political analyst Ntsikelelo Breakfast commented that the ANC's brand has been damaged by corruption and poor service delivery, predicting a downward trend in their electoral performance as younger voters prioritize basic services over the party's liberation struggle history.
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