{
  "id": 5981071,
  "title": "Shivambu promises to wipe off Soweto electricity debt, refuses to reveal mayoral candidate for City of Joburg",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/06/shivambu-promises-to-wipe-off-soweto-electricity-debt-refuses-to",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-06T12:46:25.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/elections/shivambu-promises-to-wipe-off-soweto-electricity-debt-refuses-to-reveal-mayoral-candidate-for-city-of-joburg/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Floyd Shivambu, the founder of the Afrika Mayibuye Movement, has pledged to eliminate Soweto's electricity debt if his party secures the City of Johannesburg during the upcoming local government elections. He addressed the city's R3-10 billion debt during a press conference on Saturday. Shivambu claims that the municipality's debt stems from rate boycotts that took place before 1994, which he argues were a legitimate form of protest against the apartheid government. Now, he maintains, it is unjust to hold the people of Soweto accountable for utilizing a tool of resistance. In addition to erasing the electricity debt, Shivambu has promised to create employment opportunities for all, irrespective of age. However, he declined to disclose the name of the mayoral candidate for the City of Johannesburg, stating that the individual is currently occupied with \"assignments\" that will prevent them from taking on the role. The mystery candidate is not being imposed by the party, but rather chosen through internal party processes. Shivambu affirmed that the executive mayor of Johannesburg will come from his movement. For the City of Tshwane, he identified General Prince Nkitsing Mokotedi as the mayoral candidate, for Tshwane, Themba \"Skeem GP\" Lukhele, and for Emfuleni Local Municipality, Pastor Vincent Jones.",
  "summary": "Afrika Mayibuye has announced the mayoral candidates for the City of Ekurhuleni, Tshwane and Emfuleni Local Municipality.",
  "key_points": [
    "Floyd Shivambu pledges to eliminate Soweto's R3-10 billion electricity debt.",
    "He refuses to reveal the mayoral candidate for City of Johannesburg.",
    "Shivambu identifies three candidates for other municipalities."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}