The response of mayors to billing problems and to the recent floods would influence their nomination as African National Congress candidates in the upcoming local elections, the ruling party in Gauteng said on Thursday.
“That is an important issue to look at when we will be making decisions on candidates for mayors,” said ANC provincial secretary David Makhura.
“We are being sensitive to the fact that people are being affected … We are saying to mayors, don’t blame residents … Help them, talk to those affected,” he said.
“That’s a very important consideration.”
City of Johannesburg Mayor Amos Masondo drew widespread criticism after he publicly said that the electricity billing problems did not constitute a crisis.
Masondo has, however, already served the maximum two terms as mayor under ANC rules. He has been mayor of Johannesburg since 2000.
Makhura told mayors that every complaint their municipalities received was “one too many”.
“As the ANC we will never be satisfied … We want a completely reliable billing system. We will always be on the side of those affected,” he said.
The party runs 13 of the 15 municipalities in the province.
The ANC called the meeting with mayors and municipal managers to discuss the billing problems, flood damage and the managing of finances by municipalities.
Continue cutting off services
The City of Johannesburg will continue cutting off services to those who do not pay their electricity bills, Masondo said.
“We don’t enjoy cutting off people, but the municipality has a legal responsibility and obligation to collect all the money due to the municipality,” he said in Parktown, Johannesburg.
He said the city would not “wrongfully” cut power.
The widespread billing problems in Johannesburg, the country’s economic hub, has angered many residents.
Masondo said “significant progress” had been made in dealing with the situation but could not provide a timeline of when the billing issues would be resolved.
“In one year’s time, in two years’ time, many of the problems … will be problems of the past,” he said. — Sapa