Mr Nkosindiphile Ghakadza is the newly elected Mayor of Ekurhuleni. (Papi Morake/Garo Images)
BTwo weeks after the ANC and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) mended ties in Ekurhuleni, the two sides appear to be at loggerheads again over a job creation plan that aims to create 16,000 jobs.
The Red Berets described the plan announced by ANC executive mayor Nkosindiphile Nxakaza as an act of violence and a populist stunt aimed at boosting the ruling party's campaign ahead of the May 29 general election. He criticized it for being too much.
In his maiden speech on Tuesday, Mr Xhakaza promised that next month the metro would announce the first 1,400 beneficiaries of the initiative and employ people under the Expanded Public Works Works (EPWP), Public Works and Community Works ( CWP) program.
His announcement drew criticism from the EFF, which co-governs the metro with the ANC and is responsible for key portfolios including finance.
EFF finance MMC Nkululeko Dunga said Mr Jakaza made the announcement as an election ploy.
“Our people are not stupid. We are fully aware that this is only a temporary involvement for political expediency,” he said.
Dunga added that the EFF is not indifferent to the metro's high unemployment rate and advocates for quality, sustainable jobs that government programs currently do not provide.
“EPWP and CWP provide no benefits. It is temporary and not permanent. It can end at any time. You are dependent on state subsidies that are limited to six months. How happy would it be for someone to benefit from the EPWP when it ends in six months and they don't realize that six months later they will have the opportunity to form the EPWP again?'' he said. said.
In his speech, Mr. Jakaza also highlighted the city's financial difficulties, which appear to have worsened in recent months, with the Audit Office finding that Mr. Ekurhuleni has suffered setbacks in 2022-2023.
“We remain concerned about our financial situation, mainly because we don't seem to be earning enough. Our finances are also not aligned with our priorities,” he said. I did. “We are determined to resolve these issues by the end of this financial year and be on track for another clean audit.”
Mr Jakaza said there was enough crime in the city and that the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Station and other security agencies should show no mercy to criminals, while residents also said the government was trying to protect drug traffickers, traffickers and pickpockets. , said they must help take back the streets from other criminal peddlers.
“A serious CBD purification campaign” [central business districts] “This is non-negotiable and the police chief and his team have been briefed and we look forward to immediate action,” Mr Jakaza said.
“These operations must be carried out by multidisciplinary law enforcement teams, including: [police] And we believe that many of the people behind this may be illegal aliens, so it's an internal matter. EMPD must now arrest criminals who violate our ordinances without fear or favor, we must take back our streets. ”
Mr Jakaza said the city would soon introduce the Khanitha Murali campaign, which includes electrification projects including maintenance of street lights and deployment of high-mast lighting.
