MEETING OF MINDS: Political parties participated in the Daily Dispatch Dialogues local government election debate at the East London City Hall last night. From left were: Dispatch Editor, Sibusiso Ngalwa, Chumani Matiwane (Economic Freedom fighters), Xola Pakati (ANC), Chantel King (DA), Luke Quse (ACDP) and Thando Mpulu (UDM) Picture: MARK ANDREWS
Voters in the Buffalo City Metro got more than they bargained for when five political parties went head-to-head during the Daily Dispatch Dialogues great election debate.
The debate, which was organised in the run-up to the looming and much-anticipated local government elections next week Wednesday, witnessed a battle of ideas between the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), the African National Congress (ANC), Democratic Alliance (DA), United Democratic Movement (UDM) and the ACDP.
The ANC was represented by regional chair and mayoral candidate Xola Pakati, EFF by regional chair Chumani Matiwane, UDM by MPL Thando Mpulu, DA by Chantel King and Luke Quse (ACDP).
Starting off Pakati, the ANC’s regional chairman, who is set to replace the current mayor Alfred Mtsi, assured the vibrant crowd of 800 who packed the City Hall that the ANC was not only throwing out promises but was aiming to continue with its delivery of services.
However, his counterpart from the EFF, Matiwane, said an EFF-led municipality would starve the tenderpreneurs created by the ANC.
“The tender system is the root of corruption in this municipality. We must do away with the system. An EFF municipality will deal with this issue. It enriches only people who are politically connected, but not the greater community,” he said.
Pakati defended his party, saying even though corruption was a reality, it was not unique to the ANC.
“Corruption is not an invention of the ANC. It is a societal problem that arises out of greed,” he said.
The DA’s Chantel King said that top of the to-do repair list was fixing BCM’s roads. “With the ANC it can take up to 20 years to fix roads. We just had heavy rains now and the roads are even worse.”
UDM MPL Mpulu said the ANC’s experience in government had not translated into proper service delivery. “We are clear we must create social capital and civil society participation, so as to mitigate elements of crime and curb poverty.”
In reponse to the other parties, EFF regional secretary Thembinkosi Apleni said the EFF was the only hope for the BCM. — siphem@dispatch.co.za
Party leaders square off in quest for votes
The debate, which was organised in the run-up to the looming and much-anticipated local government elections next week Wednesday, witnessed a battle of ideas between the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), the African National Congress (ANC), Democratic Alliance (DA), United Democratic Movement (UDM) and the ACDP.
The ANC was represented by regional chair and mayoral candidate Xola Pakati, EFF by regional chair Chumani Matiwane, UDM by MPL Thando Mpulu, DA by Chantel King and Luke Quse (ACDP).
Starting off Pakati, the ANC’s regional chairman, who is set to replace the current mayor Alfred Mtsi, assured the vibrant crowd of 800 who packed the City Hall that the ANC was not only throwing out promises but was aiming to continue with its delivery of services.
However, his counterpart from the EFF, Matiwane, said an EFF-led municipality would starve the tenderpreneurs created by the ANC.
“The tender system is the root of corruption in this municipality. We must do away with the system. An EFF municipality will deal with this issue. It enriches only people who are politically connected, but not the greater community,” he said.
Pakati defended his party, saying even though corruption was a reality, it was not unique to the ANC.
“Corruption is not an invention of the ANC. It is a societal problem that arises out of greed,” he said.
The DA’s Chantel King said that top of the to-do repair list was fixing BCM’s roads. “With the ANC it can take up to 20 years to fix roads. We just had heavy rains now and the roads are even worse.”
UDM MPL Mpulu said the ANC’s experience in government had not translated into proper service delivery. “We are clear we must create social capital and civil society participation, so as to mitigate elements of crime and curb poverty.”
In reponse to the other parties, EFF regional secretary Thembinkosi Apleni said the EFF was the only hope for the BCM. — siphem@dispatch.co.za
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