Patriotic Alliance (PA) president Gayton McKenzie has been elected as the new mayor of the Central Karoo District Municipality in the Western Cape province.
He was elected unopposed, thanks to the backing of his party’s coalition partners, the ANC and the Karoo Democratic Force.
The businessman and politician, born and bred in Heidedal in Bloemfontein, was first sworn in as a councillor of the Laingsburg Local Municipality and then joined the Central Karoo District Municipality as a representative last week.
In his first speech as mayor, McKenzie apologised to the residents for the suffering they have endured in the past.
“I would like to apologise to the residents of the Central Karoo because we politicians have not taken them seriously,” he said.
“Gone are the times where we point fingers at other people. We are going to take responsibility and it’s an era of accepting and fixing.
“I’m not a mayor of PA people here. I am a mayor of everyone here.”
McKenzie made bold promises to the residents, including cancelling municipal debts except for businesses.
“It must be zero, zero, zero, zero, but we will be ruthless if you are one month behind. Everyone who is blocked, should be unblocked,” he said.
McKenzie vowed he will not be taking a salary and the money will be used to improve services.
He also said he will not have a mayoral vehicle and that it should be sold and the money used to buy an ambulance. – Staff Reporter