The Alliance of Citizens for Change (ACC) has unveiled its leader, Masizole Mnqasela, as its mayoral candidate for the City of Cape Town. Mnqasela, a former DA member and Western Cape legislature speaker, presented his 15-point plan at an event in Delft, an informal settlement. The plan covers basic services, crime, municipal accountability, and support for vulnerable residents. Mnqasela emphasized that the plan aims to bring about change if the ACC is elected and obtains necessary approvals.
Mnqasela highlighted the pressing issues in Cape Town, including severe inequality and a high cost of living, with many households under financial pressure. He also emphasized the high level of crime affecting parts of the city, stating that communities have had enough of being terrorized and killed by criminals. Mnqasela noted that behind every confirmed death is a family whose life has changed forever, and behind every shooting is a community asking who controls the streets and who will die next.
The ACC's 15-point plan includes sustained, intelligence-led action against armed gangs and extortion networks, better protection for witnesses and small businesses, and investigations leading to lawful convictions. Mnqasela reiterated his call for the reinstatement of the death penalty for murderers. He also emphasized the importance of honest and accountable leadership, advocating for lifestyle audits for City officials and politicians. Municipal decisions, he said, must serve residents, not political parties.
Mnqasela's plan also focuses on improving the reliability of basic services such as water, electricity, sanitation, roads, and refuse removal. He committed to providing 400 kWh of free basic electricity, up from the current 50 kWh, and 10,000 kilolitres of free water to qualifying households. These proposals, he noted, would require a sustainable funding model, tariff decisions, budget approval, and compliance with applicable law.
The ACC leader also promised to bring skills development programs for the youth and support for South African-owned spaza shops and small businesses. He committed to ensuring a fair billing system, where residents are charged accurately for services received. Mnqasela further stated that the ACC would introduce policies to reduce the burden on pensioners and vulnerable residents amid the rising cost of living.
Mnqasela emphasized the importance of environmental justice and spatial transformation, stating that every community should live in a clean, healthy, and well-planned neighborhood. He added that the ACC would push for clinics to be open 24/7, requiring cooperation and funding from provincial health authorities and possibly other spheres of government. Municipalities, he noted, may support health access, but they do not alone control the entire public healthcare system.
The ACC's mayoral candidate concluded by stating that the election will give voters an opportunity to demand a municipality that is answerable to the people. He emphasized that the party is ready to turn the cry of residents into action through a lawful, accountable government. The ACC's 15-point plan, Mnqasela said, sets out the change that the party will campaign for and deliver if elected.
Key points
- The Alliance of Citizens for Change unveils its 15-point plan for Cape Town, focusing on basic services, crime, and support for vulnerable residents.
- Masizole Mnqasela commits to providing 400 kWh of free basic electricity and 10,000 kilolitres of free water to qualifying households.
- The ACC's plan aims to bring about change through honest and accountable leadership, improved basic services, and support for vulnerable residents.
