ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa has said ANC mayors and councillors who fail to deliver will be removed, a message reported again on 1 November, three days before the 4 November local government elections.
The party's manifesto, launched in Diepsloot, Soweto on 23 August, commits ANC mayors and councillors to public performance agreements and a code of ethical conduct.
What the manifesto commits to
According to coverage of the August launch, ANC mayors and councillors must sign a public performance agreement and a code of ethical conduct. The manifesto commits to a 100-day accountability plan, with priorities published within three months of taking office, and says municipalities must act within 12 months on the Auditor-General's findings.
Ramaphosa was quoted at the launch as saying: "Public representatives who do not fulfil their agreed responsibilities will be removed." He also said: "On the first day after the election, we will begin implementing these reforms" and "We will not tolerate wasteful expenditure or corruption."
What was said on 1 November
A report published on 1 November was headlined with the words "We will take them out" and said Ramaphosa vowed to remove underperforming ANC councillors and mayors. A photo caption said strict performance-management guidelines would be followed and implemented for elected ANC councillors and mayors.
We could not read the body of that report, so we cannot say where or when Ramaphosa spoke or confirm the exact words. In July, ANC Limpopo chairperson Phophi Ramathuba told a party rally that the ANC was prepared to recall deployees who fail to deliver, according to a news report.
What we do not yet know
- Who decides on a removal and what process applies. The coverage we hold does not say.
- How performance will be measured, and how many sitting mayors and councillors could be affected.
- How the pledge would apply in councils run through coalitions, where the ANC does not hold the mayoral chain.
- How other parties have responded. We have seen no direct reaction.
