Mlungisi Mabaso, MMC for Human Settlements in the City of Johannesburg, middle, yesterday visited local spaza shops during an oversight visit to the Kharada Informal Settlement. About 200 unlawfully erected informal structures are expected to be demolished as the city works to restore law and order.
Image: Picture: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers
Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) has officially announced Mlungisi Mabaso as its mayoral candidate for the City of Johannesburg.
Upon his nomination this past weekend, Mabaso vowed to restore Johannesburg to its former glory. Notably, his name, "Mlungisi," is IsiZulu for "the fixer" or "the one who sets things right," reflecting the mission he intends to undertake for the city.
As he prepares to challenge several key candidates, including Herman Mashaba and Helen Zille, Mabaso has outlined his intended approach and objectives for the upcoming campaign.
He announced his 10-point rescue plan to turn the City of Johannesburg around. The plan includes a specific focus on economic recovery, visible policing, water, infrastructure, roads, housing, land, finances, smart billing, and the protection of whistleblowers.
Mabaso told delegates gathered at Jabulani in Soweto that he intends to bring order to the City of Johannesburg.
"I am a servant of the people and an IFP volunteer," he said.
He is serving as the Mayoral Committee in Johannesburg, in charge of the Human Settlement portfolio.
“Johannesburg must once again become a city where people are proud to live in. The IFP will restore the culture of safety, discipline and excellence in local government. The IFP believes that clean streets matter, safe neighborhoods matter.”
Mabaso has gained significant attention for his campaigns to reclaim hijacked buildings in Johannesburg and his efforts to address fraud in state housing allocations. He continues to align himself with the IFP’s strict stance on undocumented migrants and illegal immigration.
Recent reports in The Star, supported by a viral video, indicate that Mabaso has vowed his department will not use South African taxpayer funds to provide services to informal settlements primarily occupied by illegal immigrants.
Specifically, he stated that services would not be provided to settlements housing over 10,000 foreign nationals, suggesting that such services might only be considered after his term in office concludes.
“If it’s more than 10 000 foreign nationals, we take the money of South African taxpayers and go to service foreign nationals in informal settlements - I said that is not going to happen.
“That will happen while there’s another MMC, because I will also not stay in these positions forever. I will be removed one day, and that’s when they will get the services - but not while I am still the MMC,” The Star reported.
Party president, Velenkosini Hlabisa, who announced Mabaso's candidacy said the he is the best candidate to serve the people of Johannesburg.