Ramaphosa pins ANC’s loss over Tshwane due to the party’s ‘shortcomings’ in previous election

As his party aims to get back to governing the Tshwane metro in the upcoming local government elections, ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa has pinned their loss of power in the metro in 2016 on the party’s “shortcomings”.

The metro was under the rule of the ANC for 22 years and lost to a DA-led coalition governance in the 2016 local government elections.

Addressing scores of people at the party’s manifesto launch in Pretoria CBD on Monday evening, Ramaphosa spoke on reasons that led to the party losing power in 2016.

“As the African National Congress we are well aware that many people here in Tshwane and elsewhere in the country decided not to vote for us in the 2016 elections,” he said.

“We understand that you were disappointed with the ANC, discouraged by our shortcoming and angry about allegations of state capture and corruption. As a result a number of cities and towns, including Tshwane, have been governed by other parties for the past five years.”

Breakdown of parties that received the most votes in the 2016 elections:

– DA: 43.15 %

– ANC: 41.25 %

– EFF: 11.63 %

He said residents in Atteridgeville and Laudium were affected by water issues that lasted for about a week, earlier this month, issues that they aimed to resolve. The outage was due to maintenance work and repairs of important water pipes with leakages and would be conducted by water utility Rand Water.

Councillor candidates killed

The ANC candidate nomination processes in Tshwane saw acts of violence; two ANC councillor candidates were shot and killed this month in Tshwane.

On Friday, ANC Mabopane councillor Tshepo Motaung, was shot and killed.

Ramaphosa described Motaung’s killing as “ tragic and brutal”.

“As I address you this evening people of Tshwane are in mourning of the tragic and brutal killing of comrade Tshepo Motaung, an ANC councillor and a candidate. We extend condolences to his colleagues, family and friends.

“As with every violent crime in our communities we call on the police to spare no effort in finding those responsible and ensure that they face the full might of the law.”

ANC 2021 LGE MANIFESTO LAUNCH https://t.co/fzKV7YYgSU

— African National Congress (@MYANC) September 27, 2021

**The views expressed in this report were expressed by the relevant interviewees and the parties they represent, and are not held by this publication.