The VF Plus, led by Lindsay Johnson, has unveiled its plans for the Makana municipality, contesting 13 wards in the upcoming elections. At the forefront of their agenda is the restoration of reliable water supply, which they aim to achieve through infrastructure maintenance, faster leak detection, and accurate monitoring of water losses. The party's 2026 manifesto commits to repairing and upgrading infrastructure, as well as spending infrastructure grants in full.
In terms of electricity, the VF Plus will support planned maintenance, qualified electrical appointments, and stronger protection of municipal infrastructure against theft and vandalism. They also plan to promote co-operation between law enforcement, communities, and security structures to protect infrastructure. The party will demand transparent financial planning, accurate metering, measures to reduce electricity losses, and affordable tariffs from Eskom. They will also encourage private electricity generation and practical opportunities for residents to adopt alternative energy sources.
The VF Plus has also outlined plans to address the issue of roads and potholes in Makana. They will demand a published road-maintenance programme prioritising dangerous roads, routes used by emergency services and public transport, and areas with the greatest infrastructure deterioration. The party's manifesto commits to infrastructure maintenance, and residents will be able to track reported potholes, assigned officials, planned repair dates, and completed work through regular public progress reports.
The party also aims to improve waste management and landfill operations in Makana. They will insist that the municipality's landfill is operated in compliance with environmental legislation, court orders, and applicable safety requirements. An independently verifiable corrective action plan with deadlines, assigned officials, and regular progress reports will be required. Refuse collection will follow reliable schedules, while illegal dumping will be addressed through consistent by-law enforcement, community reporting, accessible disposal arrangements, and practical recycling initiatives.
In terms of municipal finances, the VF Plus proposes three immediate steps. Firstly, they will strengthen financial controls, record-keeping, and expenditure monitoring. Secondly, they will commission a corrective audit action plan that addresses every finding raised by the Auditor-General. Thirdly, they will work with National Treasury to meet the conditions for the restoration of the equitable share. Progress will be reported quarterly, and the party will seek recovery of money lost through fraud, corruption, or irregular contracts.
The VF Plus also aims to improve pay and management in the municipality. They will not support unjustified senior management salary increases while residents face failing services and the municipality receives disclaimer audit opinions. The party's manifesto calls for reducing superfluous management positions, reviewing remuneration in line with expertise and responsibilities, and employing more skilled technical personnel who contribute directly to service delivery. Senior officials will have measurable performance agreements covering financial management, infrastructure maintenance, water reliability, and other essential services.
Finally, the VF Plus has outlined plans to promote accountability and a growing local economy in Makana. They will insist that the Special Investigating Unit's findings are acted upon through lawful, transparent, and impartial processes. The party supports public disclosure of final findings and appropriate referral of suspected criminal conduct to the relevant authorities. They also believe that sustainable employment comes from a growing local economy, not from creating unnecessary municipal posts, and will advocate for reliable municipal services, well-maintained infrastructure, and fair rates and tariffs.
Key points
- VF+ prioritizes restoring reliable water supply through infrastructure maintenance and efficient management.
- The party aims to improve waste management and landfill operations in Makana.
- VF+ proposes strengthening financial controls and promoting accountability in municipal finances.
