Gauteng mayors in ANC crosshairs
2011-02-03 19:33
Johannesburg - The response of Gauteng mayors to billing problems and to the recent floods would influence their nomination as ANC candidates in the upcoming local elections, the ruling party said on Thursday.
"That is an important issue to look at when we will be making decisions on candidates for mayors," said ANC provincial secretary David Makhura.
"We are being sensitive to the fact that people are being affected... We are saying to mayors, don't blame residents... Help them, talk to those affected," he said.
"That's a very important consideration."
City of Johannesburg Mayor Amos Masondo drew widespread criticism after he publicly said that the electricity billing problems did not constitute a crisis.
Masondo has, however, already served the maximum two terms as mayor under ANC rules.
Makhura told mayors that every complaint their municipalities received was "one too many".
"As the ANC we will never be satisfied... We want a completely reliable billing system. We will always be on the side of those affected," he said.
The party runs 13 of the 15 municipalities in the province.
The ANC called the meeting with mayors and municipal managers to discuss the billing problems, flood damage and the managing of finances by municipalities.
- SAPA
