Johannesburg's Descent: Mbalula Denounces Collapse But Sidesteps ANC Responsibility

Johannesburg, the once-thriving heart of South Africa, is now being described as a "collapsed municipality" by ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula. In a critical analysis, Mbalula reminisced on the city's glory days, attributing present malaise to ineffective coalitions rather than his party's governance.

The decline of Johannesburg has garnered attention far and wide. Scenes of homeless individuals directing traffic due to dysfunctional signals underscore the gravity of the situation. Mbalula lamented the standards that have plummeted since the ANC's tenure, when agencies like the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) were reputed for their well-oiled operations.

Crime, too, has not spared even the cemeteries, a chilling testament to the lawlessness gripping the city. Moreover, widespread load shedding exacerbates this disorder, leaving essential services such as traffic control in disarray. Effective contingencies for these power cuts have not been established, a negligence Mbalula criticizes openly.

Despite the ANC's participation in the city's coalition government, Mbalula denies culpability for the current state of affairs. The ANC's control, he emphasizes, is limited to fiscal disbursements, while other parties like the Patriotic Alliance oversee different departments including transport.

The issue of leadership or lack thereof takes center stage. Mbalula condemned the pettiness witnessed among Johannesburg's leaders, who have been seen quarreling over jurisdictional and publicity matters instead of attending to critical incidents like the Bree Street explosion.

The frequent changes in mayoral positions have only contributed to Johannesburg's fragility. Mbalula calls out these coalitions as sources of instability, suggesting an underlying ineffectiveness of these political collaborations.

What emerges is a picture of a city in distress, a far cry from the efficiency and governance it was synonymous with in years past. Mbalula's statements spotlight the symptomatic challenges facing Johannesburg, yet a clear solution or acceptance of responsibility remains elusive.