ANC in Greater Joburg hits back at ActionSA leader, Herman Mashaba.
The party accused him of political dishonesty and blamed his tenure as mayor for much of the inner-city decay Joburg is still fixing today.
In a statement, ANC Joburg spokeswoman, Mantombi Nkosi praised the current city administration led by mayor, Dada Morero for progress in reclaiming the inner city.
She said: "The ANC notes the commendable work done by the current administration in reclaiming the inner city of Joburg as a preferred site of business by investors," adding that efforts are focused on making the city "clean, safe and attractive to investors."
She acknowledged that hijacked buildings remain a major challenge but backed the city's revitalisation plans, saying the problem affects public safety, development and the dignity of residents.
Responding to Mashaba's claims that the city is negotiating with criminals and lacks a plan for reclaimed buildings, Nkosi dismissed the accusations as misleading.
"This claim is misleading and ignores his own record during his tenure as executive mayor," she said.
Nkosi accused Mashaba of abandoning the inner city and worsening the crisis during his time in office.
"Mashaba did not reclaim the inner city. He abdicated responsibility, created disorder and departed."
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She further alleged that under Mashaba's leadership, several city-owned buildings were handed to private developers without proper funding or planning.
"Many of these properties were allocated to developers who had no clear or viable funding plans, resulting in stalled projects and further urban decay," said Nkosi.
The ANC also claimed that vulnerable residents were left homeless.
"These transactions were carried out without the provision of alternative accommodation for the occupants, leaving vulnerable residents exposed and worsening the housing crisis," she said.
She warned against what it called political grandstanding.
"Accusing the current administration of ‘negotiating with criminals' while disregarding his own failures is not constructive political criticism, intellectual dishonesty and cynical politicking of the highest order," she said
Nkosi said dealing with hijacked buildings requires more than law enforcement.
"Addressing hijacked buildings is not only a law enforcement task but a housing and development imperative," she said.
