Mmusi Maimane says the DA will debate if voters should be allowed to directly elect a mayor or premier of their choosing.
As the Democratic Alliance gears towards its federal congress over the weekend, the party will debate resolutions that will see proposals to expand property ownership and get rid of the Value Added Tax (VAT) increase implemented by government.
The resolutions from the congress come at a time when the DA has been criticised for lacking racial inclusivity in its structures, and the party’s leadership is reportedly divided over a proposal by chief whip John Steenhuisen that leader Mmusi Maimane’s tenure should not be extended for another two years.
However, Maimane insisted at a press briefing in Tshwane on Thursday, the congress will be “the largest and the most diverse in the history of the party”. Significant resolutions, he said, will be taken with the aim of encouraging more jobs for young people aged 18 to 24.
In total, there are more than 50 resolutions which the party will debate, with the primary objective of addressing unemployment, he said.
“As the DA heads to its federal congress, our policy focus is on how to create a South Africa that works for all,” Maimane said.
Key resolutions will be considered when it comes to land reform, social grants, and getting jail-time for public servants who misuse public money, Maimane said.
Corruption has been a large part of the party’s campaign to remove the governing ANC from power. At the federal congress, Maimane said the DA will debate if voters should be allowed to directly elect a mayor or premier of their choosing.
“The DA’s resolutions on corruption will be an opportunity for the party to discuss giving citizens an opportunity to get rid of corrupt political leaders by allowing the electorate to elect the president, premiers and mayors directly; carrying out lifestyle audits for politicians and public servants where appropriate, in conjunction with government agencies such as SARS and SAPS; as well as instituting minimum 15-year jail sentences for anyone found guilty of abusing taxpayers’ money,” he said.
The party has not backed down on its land reform measures, maintaining that land expropriation without compensation will be a setback to the country if implemented. Currently, Maimane said, the DA will discuss ways in which more people can own property in South Africa and create jobs. The party will still build on how such a policy can be implemented in detail.
“The DA’s discussions on land reform at congress will commit the party to the development and implementation of land reform policies that extend property ownership, attract investment, create jobs in the form of win-win partnerships and helps our nation to heal from the divisions of the past,” he said.
At the beginning of April, VAT increased to 15% as a result of a decision taken by government and the national treasury. The DA may now plan to get rid of the increase altogether, but in order to do so, will have to propose how government can get the revenue it requires.
“Poor South Africans suffer most from a VAT increase. We will therefore discuss at its upcoming congress a resolution to reverse the VAT level to the previous 14% level,” Maimane continued.
The DA’s federal congress will begin at the weekend, where its new leadership will also be elected. Currently, Maimane is running unopposed as party leader and James Selfe is also unopposed as chair of the party’s federal executive.