The Inkatha Freedom Party, North West province has begun its campaign for the much awaited 2016 local government elections.
IFP spokesperson in the province Mr Johannes Letswalo said the party is intensifying its campaign in all the ANC stronghold areas. “The party is growing stronger throughout the province and is on track to show massive gains in next year’s local government elections.
The IFP is planning to base its forthcoming election strategy on four crucial issues: the declining economic growth, increasing levels of unemployment, poverty and inequality. These focus areas highlight the fact that this country has reached a cross-road and is going nowhere”, said Mr Letswalo.
Mr Letswalo stressed the importance of creating more jobs which is the only way to lift people out of poverty. “The main part of the IFP’s 2016 election campaign strategy is to attract voters from the marginalised youth and downtrodden communities. For many citizens in the province, their biggest issues are poor road infrastructure, inadequate water supply, poverty and unemployment.
“Poor service delivery and the fact that the people are tired of empty promises has pushed voters towards the IFP. We want better municipalities, not municipalities in crisis. The people of North West are saying, the only party that can deliver services and fulfil their hopes and dreams is the IFP,” added Mr Letswalo.
At local government level, most municipalities are failing to deliver basic services. There is no doubt that the culture of so-called cadre deployment and nepotism is contributing a great deal to municipalities’ inability to service communities. Skills and experience are no longer a requirement for one to be appointed because of this bad practise. The sad reality is that beneficiaries of both nepotism and cadre deployment are appointed to key strategic positions and the majority of these cadre appointees fail to perform their duties.
“Corruption is rife in our municipalities and unfortunately, government has failed to take disciplinary action or to prosecute corrupt officials because of their political connections,” said Mr Letswalo.
Lack of proper monitoring and evaluation systems within municipalities has created space for ‘tenderpreneurs’ to loot millions from taxpayers. For that reason the IFP will not rest until every single municipality in this province is under IFP control.
“I can count on the support of all the structures as we continue to make IFP more visible in North West, starting in those municipalities where the ANC is currently governing. Citizens are angry and frustrated over the many promises that have been made and broken by the ANC government, and are tired of the struggles they have to face on a daily basis due to a lack of proper housing, sanitation, access to water and electricity. Every South African deserves to live in dignity and should have access these basic services,” urged Mr Letswalo.
Issued by IFP Media, Parliament
For Media Enquiries Contact IFP Spokesperson, NW on 0839968982
