LOCAL RDP ON TRACK, SAYS ANC

PRETORIA Sept 27 Sapa

Assertions that reconstruction and development had stalled at
local level were unfounded, African National Congress MP Dr Abe
Nkomo said in Pretoria on Wednesday.

Speaking at the launch of the local government election
manifesto of the Greater Pretoria ANC branch, he said a solid basis
for improving living conditions in townships around Pretoria had
already been laid.

"We merely have to flesh out the skeleton for development which
has been put into place by our interim local councillors."

The launch, at the bust of former prime minister J G Strijdom
on the central Pretoria square named after him, was attended by
less than 100 people.

It started about 90 minutes late because of problems with the
public address system.

Nkomo said R3 million had been allocated for cleaning up
Eersterus north of Pretoria, dairy farms were being set up outside
Atteridgeville and land had been released for housing.

At least 6569 sites were being made available in
Atteridgeville, Mamelodi, Klipfontein and Kruisfontein, Nkomo said.

In its election manifesto the ANC said it would set up planning
zone forums "where stakeholders can come together at grassroots
level to consult and inform ward councillors".

The upgrading of local services was another priority.

"To ensure the funds are available to pay for these programmes,
operation Masakhane was launched," the manifesto says. "Today every
resident is encouraged to pay for what they use."

On the creation of jobs, the document says local authorities
would give preference to established contractors entering in joint
ventures with "disadvantaged" contractors, as well as those using
labour intensive practices.

In the fight against crime, the ANC will ask for the broadening
of metropolitan policing powers, the manifesto says.