Key Takeaways
- Herman Mashaba denies blame for problems in Johannesburg’s inner city
- The ANC defends MMC Mgcini Tshwaku’s plan to negotiate with residents of a hijacked building
- Mashaba claims that negotiating with residents of hijacked buildings is equivalent to negotiating with criminals
- The ANC accuses Mashaba of intellectual dishonesty and cynical politicking
- The debate over the decay of the inner city and who is responsible for it continues among political parties
Introduction to the Debate
The upcoming local government elections in 2026 have sparked a heated debate among political parties in Johannesburg, with the crisis in the inner city being a major point of contention. Herman Mashaba, the leader of ActionSA, has come under fire from the ANC for his criticism of the city’s plan to negotiate with residents of a hijacked building in the CBD. Mashaba strongly opposed this idea, stating that it is tantamount to negotiating with criminals, as many hijacked buildings are known to be hubs for human trafficking, harboring illegal immigrants, and other illicit activities.
The ANC’s Defense
In response to Mashaba’s criticism, the ANC released a statement defending MMC Mgcini Tshwaku’s plan, stating that the ruling coalition in Johannesburg is not negotiating with criminals. The ANC accused Mashaba of intellectual dishonesty and cynical politicking, claiming that he is trying to shift the blame for the problems in the inner city away from himself. The ANC also pointed out that during Mashaba’s tenure as mayor, he failed to address the challenges posed by hijacked buildings, and instead released several municipally owned buildings to the private sector as part of inner-city redevelopment initiatives, which ultimately led to stalled projects and further urban decay.
Mashaba’s Response
Mashaba responded to the ANC’s comments, stating that during his time as mayor, the city was able to identify 600 hijacked buildings, and over 150 were reclaimed and repurposed through partnerships with the private sector. He claimed that over 22,000 permanent work opportunities were created through these projects, but that the ANC stopped the existing projects aimed at rejuvenating the inner city after he left office. Mashaba also pointed out that the ANC has failed to take action to address the decay of the inner city, citing the example of the iconic Carlton Hotel, which closed down 10 years after the ANC took power.
The Role of the Private Sector
Johannesburg mayor Amos Masondo recently weighed in on the debate, stating that the private sector is also to blame for the challenges of the inner city. He claimed that many private sector companies began leaving the city before 1995 due to fears of political change in the country, which led to a decline in investment and economic activity in the area. Masondo also pointed out that the influx of illegal migrants to the city in 1994 brought with it a host of problems, including crime, hijacked buildings, and overcrowding.
Conclusion
The debate over the decay of the inner city and who is responsible for it continues to be a contentious issue among political parties in Johannesburg. While Mashaba denies blame for the problems in the inner city, the ANC accuses him of intellectual dishonesty and cynical politicking. The role of the private sector in the decay of the inner city is also a point of contention, with some arguing that they are to blame for leaving the city and others arguing that they are not doing enough to invest in the area. Ultimately, the solution to the problems in the inner city will require a coordinated effort from all stakeholders, including the government, the private sector, and civil society.