By: JN Report

Warning to councillors and party deployees to deliver on promises or face consequences

ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has issued a blunt warning to party deployees, telling underperforming cadres to “shape up or ship out” as the governing party steps up efforts to woo voter support ahead of this year’s local government elections. Mbalula on Tuesday led ANC volunteers on a door-todoor mobilisation drive in Ward 25 in the Bojanala region of the North West, as part of preparations for the party’s January 8 anniversary rally. The ANC is marking 114 years since its establishment, with this year’s celebrations taking place in Rustenburg. Festivities will culminate in President Cyril Ramaphosa’s January 8 Statement at Moruleng Stadium outside Rustenburg on Saturday, where he is expected to outline the party’s priorities for the year ahead. During his engagement with residents of Monakoto village, Mbalula assured the community that the ANC’s local government action plan would be implemented and that party deployees would be held accountable for addressing service delivery concerns. “I am glad that the councillor and the mayor are here. When I come back, I don’t want to hear the repetition of the same problems. I want a report back,” said Mbalula. “Our local government action plan says we must fix problems in local areas. If things are not fixed, then we are going to fix you, the mayor.” He stressed that councillors have a responsibility to ensure services are delivered consistently and effectively. “They must be present in communities and deliver on what they promise — not speak big English, but be on the ground and resolve service delivery challenges,” Mbalula said. “We are here to listen to our communities and assess whether our deployees, especially councillors, are doing the work the ANC sent them to do. Leaders who are unknown to their communities and out of touch cannot be tolerated.” Since the start of the week, ANC national and provincial leadership have been undertaking various outreach activities across the North West province as part of the anniversary programme. The annual January 8 Statement traditionally sets the tone for the ANC’s agenda for the year, reflecting on challenges facing the party and outlining planned interventions under a chosen theme. ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu said the party’s focus was on tangible service delivery rather than rhetoric. “We have local service delivery intervention teams, local government teams and rapid response teams from Luthuli House on the ground — the entire Luthuli House is in the North West,” Bhengu said. She added that service delivery interventions had already begun. “Where we see a pothole, we immediately call the councillor, who must then contact their principal, the mayor, on the spot.