Smaller municipalities instead of metro and district councils are needed to bring the government closer to the people, the Freedom Front Plus said on Monday night.
Speaking in Pretoria at the launch of the party’s election manifesto for the local government election, FF+ leader Pieter Mulder said South Africa is increasingly centralising its government functions.
”This is in contradiction with world trends. The closer the government is to the people, the better it goes with that community,” he said.
The party will be contesting the election under the slogan ”More than just opposition”.
”It does not mean that we would avoid exposing corruption and maladministration. We will play a watchdog function, putting every action of the municipalities under the spotlight.”
He said the party is concerned about the increasing rate at which local government is deteriorating. He named bad management, non-payment for services, and exorbitant salaries of municipal officials as contributing factors to this problem.
”The problem is, these days, if you query this you are either described as a racist or unpatriotic.
”Democracy is much more than just the ability to vote every few years. In politics, it requires free elections, fairness towards all parties, equal opportunities in the media and respect for all parties and their viewpoints,” Mulder said.
The FF+ proposed the employment of skilled officials and said it is not a black-white issue but rather a management decision.
”The chaos at municipalities with regards to service delivery and management can only be resolved by appointing the most competent experts available,” Mulder said.
The principle of free basic services for all, to give the poor access to services, is important, but it is not fair to overburden payers of service fees.
The party also proposed the introduction of a unitary tax system and unitary service tariffs for the same category consumers.
”It entails equal payments for equal services,” Mulder said.
He warned that politicians need to take heed of South Africa’s diversity.
”That includes respect for all communities’ symbols and historical place names,” Mulder said.
The FF+ would work together with other parties — including the African National Congress — if it was convinced that such cooperation would promote the objectives of its support base.
”We do not like many other parties, they make us angry, but this does not mean one can’t be responsible and say on certain issues we would work together for the success of both,” Mulder said.
He was optimistic about the FF+’s chances in the March 1 election.
”We have nominated candidates in 147 municipalities and 1 729 wards, meaning we have representivity nationally this time around.” — Sapa