End vote buying in ANC: Ramaphosa

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa interacting with the Youth of Soshanguve in a Youth Development in Block H, Soshanguve, Pretoria.03/10/2015

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa interacting with the Youth of Soshanguve in a Youth Development in Block H, Soshanguve, Pretoria.03/10/2015

Published Feb 7, 2016

Share

Polokwane - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday called for an end to slate politics, vote buying, and gate keeping in the African National Congress, and a focus on serving the community selflessly.

“In 2016 and beyond, the NEC [national executive committee] has instructed all of us to return to the basics,” Ramaphosa said at the ANC’s 104th birthday celebration at the old Peter Mokaba stadium in Polokwane, Limpopo.

“This means that we must treasure, preserve, and deepen our proud traditions of close and consistent engagement with our people. In framing our back to basics approach to local government, we expect our councillors to create conditions for decent living by consistently delivering municipal services to the right quality and standard,” he said.

Municipalities led by the ANC should lead in cutting wastage, hiring competent staff, and ensuring transparency and accountability.

“Our mission is to serve our people selflessly and to improve their living conditions. To succeed in our historic task, we must constantly defend the unity of the ANC and the [tripartite] alliance.

“Getting the basics right means that we must fight slate politics, vote buying and gate keeping in this movement. Today, having been in office for more than 20 years, we cannot be complacent. As the ANC, we must remain mindful that we lead government because our people have invested their hope and trust in us,” Ramaphosa said.

“We want a local government system that works, and works because it has the trust and confidence of the community. We want to put the people first. We want good governance and political stability in our communities… [and] sound financial management.

“We want ANC cadres that enjoy respect among their peers. We want ANC cadres that are motivated by the values of honesty, hard work, humility, service, and respect for the laws of the land. We must not take our people’s support for granted,” he said.

“In the 2016 local government elections we will not play zama-zama with our people’s future. So we will not allow our municipalities to be turned into a lottery. We will not allow our municipalities to be employers of last resort and provide jobs for pals.

“We want sound, dedicated, and skilled personnel in our municipalities. Let it be known that if you abuse power, you will lose it. If you do not deliver, you are out. If you are caught with your fingers in the till, you will go to jail,” Ramaphosa said.

African News Agency

Related Topics: