ANC apologises to people of NW and FS, says they deserve better governance from party

The African National Congress (ANC) has apologised to the people of the North West and the Free State, saying they deserve better governance from the organisation.

Some of the country’s worst-performing municipalities are based in these two provinces, where the ANC also enjoys overwhelming support.

On Monday, thousands of ANC councillors from across the country congregated at the FNB Stadium in Soweto to receive the local government plan of action from the party’s national leaders.

The Free State is home to the worst-run municipality in the country, Maluti-a-Phofung.

While in the North West last week, government announced ten municipalities were either under administration or facing serious financial troubles.

In both provinces, all municipalities are governed by the ANC either outright or through coalitions.

Deputy chairperson of the ANC’s local government intervention committee, Dickson Masemola, said the party had not fully repaid the faith put into it by the people in those provinces.

"The people of Free State deserve better. The people of North West deserve better from the ANC. Those municipalities remain very important instruments that we, as the ANC, cannot allow them to collapse."

The COGTA deputy minister also relayed his party’s contrition.

"I think we should be able to apologise to South Africans where things have not gone OK. It’s not what they deserve from the ANC at the municipal level."

Masemola said Monday’s meeting showed the party was committed to improving.

READ MORE:

• • ANC to unveil plan to end load reduction in next 18 months
• • ANC promises 'intervention' in some underperforming municipalities

JOIN US ON WHATSAPP

Stay ahead of the story: Join our WhatsApp channel today.

Want breaking news at your fingertips, the moment it happens? Our WhatsApp Channel is the fastest way to stay connected with the stories that matter most.

From breaking news alerts to exclusive stories, analysis and must-read features - you’ll get it all directly on your phone.

Joining is simple. Just click Follow on our WhatsApp Channel and stay informed.