BLOEMFONTEIN – The DA’s mayoral candidate for Mangaung Metro, Werner Pretorius, has outlined five pledges aimed at addressing the metro’s financial crisis and failing service delivery ahead of municipal elections on 4 November.

Speaking at an event on Friday at The Edge on Naval Hill, Pretorius said the pledges emerged from consultations with communities, civil society, faith-based leaders, neighbourhood associations and the private sector.

“The message from all stakeholders was clear – the ANC-led administration does not care and the city is in ICU. Residents, businesses and stakeholders are struggling to survive due to failing infrastructure, lack of basic services and a metro falling apart,” he said.

Pretorius identified revenue collection as a key source of funding for infrastructure repairs. He said the provincial government owes the metro more than R600 million, and repairing water leaks could save R250 million.

He highlighted the Hauweng bus system as an example of wasteful expenditure. “In George, the DA governed municipality used R1.7 billion and bought 65 busses that runs on 34 routes. For the same amount, Bloemfontein has 10 busses running on two routes.”

Also read: Mangaung spent 113% of budget while achieving 50% of targets, Scopa hears.

The five pledges include fixing the city’s finances, delivering reliable water and electricity, building a clean, safe and corruption-free city, repairing roads and critical infrastructure, and creating jobs and growing the local economy.

“We will restore financial discipline by rooting out corruption, ending wasteful expenditure, fixing the billing crisis, improving revenue collection and ensuring every rand is spent on delivering services to residents,” Pretorius said.

On water and electricity, he said the DA would invest in maintaining and upgrading infrastructure, repairing leaks and faults faster, and ensuring uninterrupted basic services.

The DA would also ensure regular refuse collection, maintain parks and public spaces, strengthen law enforcement and implement zero-tolerance for corruption and maladministration, he said.

Pretorius said the party would accelerate pothole repairs, implement preventive road maintenance, ensure traffic lights and road signage are functional and hold contractors accountable.

He said the DA would cut red tape to attract investment. “We will support local businesses, promote tourism and major events and create an environment where entrepreneurs can thrive and more residents can access employment opportunities.”

Pretorius pointed to DA-led municipalities across South Africa, saying the West Coast Local Municipality has 15 years of clean audits, Overstrand has 13 years and Midvaal has 12 years.

“Over the last five years, nine out of 10 jobs were created in areas governed by the DA. It is time to bring that success to Mangaung,” he said.