ANC urges councillors to ‘get back to work, drive promises made in manifestos’

The party has completed its coalition engagements with other political parties that will form partners in the hung municipalities.

It has reached an agreement with the IFP in KwaZulu-Natal.

The party’s Deputy Secretary-General Jessie Duarte encouraged councillors to work together in communities.

“The people of South Africa expect us to deliver service, and to make sure that we plan properly, we budget properly and that we implement in good time. We know that we have to deal with water, electricity, roads, transport, housing,” she said.

“We also know that it is vitally important that councillors work together irrespective of which political party you may come from, it is important that we start creating an atmosphere of collegiate behaviour in our local authorities.”

She added: “We urge you now go to work; the elections are over and it is time for us to drive the promises we made in our manifestos, it is time to make our communities better for all South Africans.”

The party says mayoral candidates will be announced after the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held this weekend.

“We are happy that most hung municipalities will now take the next step to establish councils. We also sought out people who value the stability of our country as a prerequisite to successful development. Our relationship with other political parties bring together organisations who are steeped in putting people first,”