By Johnathan Paoli
Newly announced Inkhatha Freedom Party (IFP) mayoral candidate for Johannesburg, Human Settlements MMC Mlungisi Mabaso has vowed ahead of the upcoming local government elections to restore jobs, order and dignity to the country’s economic hubs. He outlined a ten point plan to turn the City around.
Speaking at Jabulani Technical School in Soweto on Saturday, Mabaso outlined an ambitious 10-point rescue plan aimed at tackling Johannesburg’s deteriorating infrastructure, unemployment, crime, corruption and service delivery failures.
“We accept the responsibility with humility and respect to work for the residents of the city of Johannesburg. I am the servant of the people and the proud volunteer of the Inkatha Freedom Party. President together with the leadership you made a commitment to the members of the IFP that as the party we will deploy our capacity and resources to rescue the city of Johannesburg,” Mabaso said.
He said Johannesburg’s strategic importance to both Gauteng and the national economy meant the city could no longer afford continued instability and governance failures.
“The City of Johannesburg contributes between 15-17 % of the national GDP and over 40% contribution to the Provincial GDP which place us in a strategic position of the country. It is against this backdrop that we present a government that will bring: jobs, order and dignity,” he said.
Central to Mabaso’s address was the IFP’s pledge to revive economic growth and employment in a city grappling with high unemployment and urban decay.
“The IFP will place economic growth and employment creation at the centre of governance by rebuilding investor confidence, supporting local enterprise and reviving industrial activity,” he said.
Among the proposals announced were reopening abandoned industrial zones, supporting township businesses and informal traders, fast-tracking investment approvals, and introducing ward-based public works programmes focused on youth employment.
Mabaso intends to intensify policing and law enforcement operations across the city, including increasing the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department’s numbers.
“A city cannot prosper without safety, discipline and enforcement of the law. The IFP will restore law and order through visible policing, technology-driven crime prevention and uncompromising action against criminal syndicates,” he said.
He announced that the party would recruit 5,000 additional JMPD officers over five years, deploy smart surveillance systems, crack down on cable theft and hijacked buildings, and conduct multi disciplinary operations targeted at “undocumented foreigners nationals both in our CBDs, and communities”.
On basic services, Mabaso said residents deserved reliable access to water, sanitation and electricity.
The IFP’s rescue plan includes replacing ageing water and sewer infrastructure, reducing water losses, investing in alternative energy sources such as solar and microgrids, and expanding electrification to informal settlements.
Mabaso pledged to tackle Johannesburg’s crumbling roads and infrastructure, promising a “city-wide war on potholes” and improved maintenance of traffic lights, stormwater systems and transport interchanges.
Housing also featured prominently in the speech, with Mabaso promising to accelerate title deed delivery, formalise informal settlements and redevelop hostels into family housing.
“Every resident deserves dignified living conditions,” he said.
The mayoral hopeful emphasised clean governance and financial discipline, promising to introduce transparent tender systems and stricter action against corruption.
“The people of Johannesburg deserve a municipality that is honest, competent and accountable. The IFP will restore financial discipline and end corruption,” he said.
He pledged to digitise municipal services, expand public WiFi access, improve communication between communities and government, and invest in youth development, sport, arts and township tourism initiatives.
Mabaso framed the election campaign as a battle to restore Johannesburg’s dignity and functionality.
IFP President Velenkosini Hlabisa formally introduced Mabaso as the party’s choice to lead Johannesburg, describing him as a proven community-focused leader with experience in both government and the private sector.
“Our candidate, he’s a councilor who moved between community services, private sector experience and back into local government to deliver. He has already shown how councilors should work with communities securing title deeds to thousands of communities within the city of Johannesburg,” he said.
“Our candidate is a champion who has demonstrated in delivering community residential units to thousands of people within the city of Johannesburg,” Hlabisa added.
Mabaso joins other candidates ahead of the November 4 elections, with the DA naming Helen Zille and the PA backing Kenny Kunene for Johannesburg’s top post.
The city heads into the polls amid persistent service delivery failures, including water and electricity shortages, potholes and deteriorating infrastructure, while the ANC has yet to confirm whether incumbent mayor Dada Morero will remain its candidate and the uMkhonto weSizwe Party has also not announced its nominee.
