“No more corruption, no more cronyism, no more cadre deployment, the ANC’s day of reckoning has come!” Mpumalanga’s party leader Jane Sithole said to loud ululation at the civic centre earlier today. Ms Sithole introduced son of Middelburg soil Mr Bosman Grobler MPL, as the party’s mayoral candidate for Middelburg.

Mr Grobler is presently serving in the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature but has availed himself for mayor, if the party achieves its goal of stealing at least 8 000 votes from the ruling party in the looming local government elections.

With the ANC still facing possible disqualification in nine of Middelburg’s 29 wards, the dream of winning Steve Tshwete Municipality has now become a reality for the DA. Mr Grobler says that within the first 100 days of office, he will immediately implement a safety and security strategy to make the town safe and crime free, especially the CBD. He will also open up the economy for all business.

The event was also used to introduce the DA candidates for the coming elections. The PR list, which includes the party’s ward candidates:

• 1 – Bosman Grobler
• 2 – Hennie Niemann
• 3 – Palesa Mobango
• 4 – Elias Morgan Bruiners
• 5 – San-Mari Wait
• 6 – Anphia Grobler
• 7 – Damien Klopper
• 8 – Daniel Stuurman
• 9 – Gys Romjin
• 10 – Helda de Klerk
• 11 – Lucky Sipho Qoka
• 12 – Johann Dyason
• 13 – Ammelia Bartizal
• 14 – Anele Thabatha
• 15 – Jos Pretorius
• 16 – Sophia Mogola
• 17 – Cedric Soko
• 18 – Lindy Ndinisa
• 19 – Emmanuel Matabane
• 20 – Deon van der Merwe
• 21 – Pride Veronica Modikela Mantome
• 22 – Stanley Sibeko
• 23 – Elsie Vermooten
• 24 – Pretty Skosana
• 25 – Kaputa William Mabena
• 26 – Gloria Zanele Ndlovu
• 27 – Sipho Stephens Mahlangu
• 28 – Martin Demas
• 29 – Johnstone Jubizwe Mabuza
• 30 – Alfred Lerato Salman
• 31 – Nozipho Jiyane.