Maimane: State capture never ended; it just moved to municipalities [PODCAST]

Johannesburg's ongoing issues surpass mere pothole repairs, according to Build One South Africa (BOSA) leader Dr Mmusi Maimane. Speaking on The Movement podcast, Maimane emphasized that the city demands fresh leadership, strategic infrastructure investments, and firm accountability to overcome its decay. He criticized the mere focus on fixing potholes as insufficient, stating that unemployment and dysfunction persist despite infrastructure restoration.

Maimane dismissed the notion that Johannesburg's decline is a natural global cycle, asserting that the city must pivot towards new economic sectors outside its historical gold mining ties. These new drivers could include education, IT, healthcare, AI, and financial services. Regarding municipal challenges, Maimane highlighted bureaucratic overgrowth, low revenue collection, and the insulating nature of entities like Joburg Water and City Power, which prevent leadership from facing accountability.

He pointed out that revenue earmarked for essential services often fails to reach where it is needed, resulting in substantial non-revenue water loss. Maimane criticized the dichotomy drawn between suburbs and townships, arguing that neglecting either hinders the growth of both. Instead, he advocated for seamless public transport connections and incentives, such as zero-rated corporate tax, to lure businesses to areas like Alexandra and Dobsonville.

He also underscored the importance of deploying high-speed internet in Dobsonville to ensure residents can thrive economically there. Maimane linked state capture to municipal governments, warning that its effects are far more dire than at the national level. He advocated for measures like depoliticizing the police, enhancing funds for the Special Investigative Unit (SIU) and National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), establishing specialized corruption courts, and equipping struggling municipalities with trained finance professionals.

Facing the upcoming local government elections, BOSA will not join coalitions without clear terms. Maimane called for a 10-point plan addressing infrastructure, governance, and crime, demanding potential partners to commit to specific deliverables. He stressed the necessity for transparent negotiations, urging all agreements to be publicly documented to prevent backdoor deals that often fail to deliver on promises. Maimane believes in measurable commitments rather than vague political pledges.