The eThekwini Ratepayers Protest Movement (ERPM) has revealed its proposed manifesto to contest in the next local government elections.
The ERPM held a meeting in New Germany, Pinetown, on Saturday, calling for the strengthening of active citizenry ahead of the election believing that they can make an impact if they were part of the eThekwini council.
The ERPM also wanted to elect candidates to represent citizens.
Asad Gaffar, chairperson of the ERPM, said there was a need to make sure the municipality is workable and his dream was to get 10 seats in eThekwini without weakening other political parties.
“We cannot shy away from it despite losing two court cases. My position in entering into politics was no, but for some time, the noises became louder than mine. We looked at different scenarios. We looked at civic societies across the world, noting how little they could achieve from the outside. We need to step into that space. We want to be the adult in the room,” Gaffar said.
He stated that he has seen the impact the movement has made in eThekwini.
“The problem we have is leadership crisis. You might vote for the party, but not the person who represents the party in eThekwini council.”
Gaffar was looking for a mandate from ratepayers to go ahead.
Rose Cortes, the deputy chairperson of ERPM, said they have done extensive research and there was a leadership vacuum in eThekwini.
What began as a circulated charter aimed at aligning all political parties has, according to Cortes, developed into a political manifesto.
She clarified that the document is currently a draft and is subject to vigorous discussions.
During the subsequent discussion, a member of the New Germany Ratepayers Association raised a concern about accountability.
They questioned who would monitor and hold the ERPM accountable once they entered politics. The member also asked if the ERPM would agree to a pact with ratepayers, outlining the consequences should they fail to deliver on their promises.
Gaffar said the ERPM was here to fulfil the needs of the ratepayers.
“We are not interested in trade-offs or compromising ourselves for political positions. We won’t politicise the ratepayers. In 30 years, the councillors have failed and if they did what you were supposed to have done, the ratepayers won’t exist. Certain councillors cannot read or write,” he said.
A concern was raised by a community member regarding how the ERPM secures support from residents who do not pay for services, such as those in informal settlements, noting the impact on municipal resources.
In response, Gaffar stated that the ERPM represents all residents and is committed to significant efforts to provide housing for people.
DA Councillor and former Bluff Ratepayers Association member, Norman Gilbert, highlighted a complete breakdown of trust between the municipality and the community.
He strongly advised the ERPM to distribute its manifesto to all political parties.
Gilbert argued that ERPM’s ability to enact genuine change was dependent on their presence in the eThekwini committees.
He highlighted the frustration of current councillors, who find that when they dissent on an issue, the council vote often results in the passage of decisions they had opposed.
Mohammed Ismail, an Active Citizens Coalition councillor, encouraged the ERPM to continue holding councillors accountable.
zainul.dawood@inl.co.za
