Floyd Shivambu Vows To Erase Soweto’s Eskom Debt if Afrika Mayibuye Wins Johannesburg, SA Debates
- Floyd Shivambu has made a major pledge if his Afrika Mayibuye Movement were to win the City of Johannesburg in the upcoming elections
- The former uMkhonto weSizwe Party member also teased a mystery mayoral candidate for the party in the City of Johannesburg
- South Africans took to social media to weigh in on Shivambu's promise, with some questioning how he planned to do it
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Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.
GAUTENG - Floyd Shivambu has pledged to cancel Soweto's longstanding electricity debt to Eskom if his Afrika Mayibuye Movement secures control of the City of Johannesburg in the upcoming local government elections.
Speaking about the debt recently, Shivambu questioned how Soweto residents could be expected to settle a debt estimated at between R3 billion and R10 billion. He stated that the movement already has a concrete plan to address the issue.
"The first thing that we will put in the City of Johannesburg is to eradicate the historical debt of all the Soweto residents in relation to electricity," he told supporters.
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Mystery Mayoral candidate teased for Johannesburg
While the Afrika Mayibuye Movement has identified its mayoral candidates for several Gauteng municipalities, the party declined to name the person earmarked for the City of Johannesburg.
Shivambu explained that the candidate is currently completing other commitments and is expected to join the campaign trail by the end of September.
"Where he or she is currently working, they will not be permitted to take over the mayoral candidature. They have given notice that by the end of September they will be done and they will join the campaign trail," he said.
Shivambu was quick to dismiss speculation about who the candidate might be, ruling out prominent figures by name. He maintained that the selection followed party processes rather than external influence.
How did South Africans react?
The pledge drew mixed reactions on social media, with several users questioning how the debt would be financed and whether the promise amounted to electioneering.
Ofentse Jabulani said:
"For you to get votes, you must promise people something. Like the ANC promised people freedom."
Eddie Bosch added:
"Anything for votes."
Kenneth Burns asked:
"Like Cupcake promised one million houses in Alex?"
Alessandra Iacomin questioned:
"Where will he get the money from? The taxpayers?"
Decusatio - Financial Problem-Solving Resource also asked:
"This sounds good to catch the attention of the voters, but what mechanism will they use to do this?"
Afrika Mayibuye Movement's headquarters closed
Briefly News also highlighted facts about the closure of the Afrika Mayibuye Movement's headquarters.
The City of Johannesburg closed it due to multiple by-law violations, including fire safety non-compliance.
As the party faces intense scrutiny and social media backlash, questions arise regarding its future leadership stability.
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Source: Briefly News
