ACDP pledges zero tolerance for corruption in election manifesto

The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) has launched its manifesto for the upcoming local government elections, pledging a zero-tolerance approach to corruption and a commitment to merit-based municipal appointments.

During the launch in Benoni, Gauteng, ACDP Deputy President Wayne Thring argued that corruption and ethical failures directly impede service delivery. He noted that billions in taxpayer funds lost to irregular procurement and poor administration prevent municipalities from addressing essential needs, such as repairing infrastructure, fixing potholes, and providing electricity and medicine.

Thring highlighted the scale of financial mismanagement, citing eThekwini Municipality as an example where irregular expenditure reached approximately R4.6 billion. To combat these issues, the ACDP proposed the ‘Jethro Principle,’ which focuses on appointing capable, proficient, and expert individuals to municipal roles rather than utilizing cadre deployment.