The leader of the Bantu Batho Congress (ABC), Philani Mavundla, has expressed regret for his party's decision to work with the African National Congress (ANC) in the 2021 elections. This move led to the ANC gaining control of the Thekwini Municipality. Mavundla made these comments during a press conference held at Blue Waters in Durban. The conference aimed to assure the public that the ABC is preparing for this year's elections. Mavundla criticized the ANC, calling them irresponsible and uninterested in the welfare and development of the community.
Mavundla described the ANC as thieves who have consistently pointed fingers at the ABC, accusing them of allowing the ANC to take over the Thekwini Municipality. He acknowledged that the ABC still has a lot to prove to the people, who have lost trust due to the party's past actions. Mavundla stated that if the ABC were to work with the ANC again after the upcoming elections, there would be a strong condition that they would not be given key leadership positions. He emphasized that allowing the ANC to lead again would be a significant mistake, given their track record.
The ABC leader mentioned that the ANC should not have participated in the elections, citing President Cyril Ramaphosa's admission that municipalities led by the Democratic Alliance (DA) perform better than those led by the ANC. Mavundla expressed surprise that ANC councillors continue to hold positions despite their party's poor performance. He stated that the ABC would prefer to work with the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) than engage with the ANC. According to Mavundla, the IFP has agreed that the ABC's leader would be considered for the position of Mayor of Thekwini if the party performs well in the elections.
Mavundla highlighted the need for urgent attention to address the issue of burst pipes in Thekwini, which has resulted in the municipality losing R2.4 billion. He stressed that this problem must be resolved quickly to prevent further unnecessary losses. The ABC leader emphasized that the welfare of Thekwini residents depends on the municipality's effectiveness. He warned that if the municipality fails to prioritize development, residents will continue to suffer.
Mavundla expressed confidence in his leadership abilities, having previously served as Mayor of Mvoti and Deputy Mayor of Thekwini. He emphasized that the ABC is committed to doing things correctly in Thekwini. The party's goal is to ensure that the municipality serves the people effectively. Mavundla's comments come amid reports that the MK Party has proposed his name for the position of Mayor.
Mavundla clarified that his relationship with the MK Party remains positive, but emphasized that the ABC operates independently and is not controlled by the MK Party. He stated that the ABC's decision to work with other parties will be determined after the upcoming elections. Mavundla's apology and commitment to change are seen as an effort to regain the trust of Thekwini residents.
The ABC's stance on the upcoming elections and potential coalitions will be crucial in determining the future of Thekwini. Residents are eagerly awaiting the elections, hoping for a change in the municipality's fortunes. The ABC's performance and leadership will play a significant role in shaping the future of the area.
Key points
- ABC leader Philani Mavundla apologizes for working with ANC in 2021 elections
- Mavundla criticizes ANC, citing their poor performance in municipalities
- ABC prefers to work with Inkatha Freedom Party, citing shared goals and values
