ANC’s Mbete concedes ‘not all things are perfect’ during BCM campaign

 16 May, 2016 

ELECTIONEERING: ANC national chairperson Baleka Mbete at the Mdantsane taxi rank on Sunday during her party's door-to-door campaign in Buffalo City Metro
Image by: SIBONGILE NGALWA

African National Congress (ANC) national chairperson Baleka Mbete crisscrossed the Buffalo City Metro (BCM) on Sunday campaigning for her party as it gears up for the August 3 local government elections.

She visited Sweetwaters in King William’s Town and Mdantsane highway taxi rank‚ calling for tough action against anyone who destroyed state property while they demanded speedier service delivery.

Addressing ANC supporters at the NU2 rent office on Sunday afternoon‚ Mbete said: “We can’t have a situation where people will be seen burning state property like schools and then claiming that they are doing it as part of demanding service delivery.

“What about the future of the kids who attend those schools? These people should be punished‚” said Mbete.

She was referring to the torching of 23 schools in Vuwani in Limpopo as people protested against the demarcation of their areas.

In BCM‚ in the past month alone‚ a number of cases were reported where people closed main roads by burning tyres.

In Reeston on Friday‚ vehicles were pelted with stones as they travelled the Mdantsane Access Road.

Mbete said: “We strongly condemn this issue of burning the country while people try to voice their anger. This is nothing but criminal work and there are leaders in these communities to address such issues.”

Mbete was in the company of local ANC leaders‚ including BCM mayor Alfred Mtsi‚ his deputy Xola Pakati and BCM council speaker Zoliswa Matana.

She reassured ANC supporters the party was doing all in its power to better the lives of the people.

“The ANC does not take people for granted. Leaders need to talk to people and address their issues.

“If they can’t‚ there’s local government‚ like municipalities‚ where these issues can be addressed‚” said Mbete.

She said many issues were raised by residents and there was certainly room for improvement.

“People raised issues on housing and other developments‚ but were happy at how the ANC was delivering on its promises to communities.

“But where people are not happy‚ there is room for improvement as not all the things are perfect‚” she said. – TMG Digital/Daily Dispatch