GOOD Press Statement by Sarah Mabotsa,
GOOD City of Tshwane Councillor
13 February 2023
The GOOD Party in Tshwane welcomes the resignation of Mayor, Randall Williams.
The governing coalition wants you to believe that mayor Williams’ Tshwane exemplified competence and stability. The reality couldn’t be further from this fairytale.
In office, Williams presided over financial carnage. His successor has their work cut out for them trying to manoeuvre out of his mess.
Since 2016, the DA-led coalition has stumbled from one financial blunder to the next. In just five years, the City of Tshwane lost R8.6 billion to irregular expenditure – leading the Mayor to declare the municipality bankrupt in May 2021. It wasn’t long after that the city was placed under administration.
The city’s financial health didn’t improve once Williams regained the mayoralty. Recent findings by Auditor General Tsakani Maluleke, detailed irregular expenditure of R10 billion, unauthorised expenditure of R600 million, and wasteful expenditure which was underestimated by over R1 billion.
Residents paid increasingly high prices for the municipality’s mismanagement.
Since July last year, Tshwane’s citizens have paid 6% more for refuse removal, 8% more for electricity, and 9% more for water. Mayor Williams has time and again blamed this on Rand Water and other entities – without ever accepting his own government’s responsibility.
Whether through a new or the current coalition, Tshwane deserves a mayor that displays financial competence.
Seven years has been more than enough time for Williams and his cohort to have demonstrated their competence.
Tshwane must be led by a sensible, skilled mayor who can provide financial stability – and in turn lessen the financial burden residents must carry.
Media Enquiries:
Sarah Mabotsa, GOOD City of Tshwane Councillor
Cell: 064 684 8640
Email: smabotsamuthivhi@gmail.com
Janke Tolmay, GOOD Media Manager
Cell: 0733671223
Email: janke@forgood.org.za