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President Zuma and Luthuli House made the decision today to disregard the voters of Tshwane and parachute in an outsider as its candidate to fill the corrupt shoes left by outgoing Mayor Ramokgopa.

Didiza’s deployment comes after a protracted and violent battle for the ANC’s top spot in the Capital that has left the party in a mess. With her nomination, today the ANC in Tshwane is more divided than ever.

It also raises serious questions about who Didiza will answer to, as she arrives in Tshwane on the orders of President Zuma and Luthuli House – not at the behest of voters.

With 44 days to go before the elections, the move is a desperate attempt by Luthuli House to stop the ANC from haemorrhaging any more support after the dismal showing by Sputla’s destructive government.

But the truth is that installing Didiza will not end the corruption that infected the ANC in Tshwane under Sputla’s watch.

Nor will it fix the party that has consistently failed to improve the lives of the residents of Tshwane, or create the jobs our people so desperately need.

Voters can be sure that Didiza will not bring change. She will only bring more of the same. More broken promises, more failed services, more unemployment and more corruption.

As a son of Tshwane, I have spent the past 290 days on the campaign trail engaging with voters across our metro. I understand the issues important to the people of Tshwane, and I have a plan to address them.

In contrast to this, Didiza brings with her the ANC’s playbook and no local knowledge whatsoever.

As the ANC lies in tatters in Tshwane, the City requires a competent government that can turn it around. I pledge to lead an honest and responsive DA government that will put the needs of the people of Tshwane first.

Independent polling shows that public sentiment against the ANC in Tshwane has turned negative and that the DA can win on August 3. Together with the support of all voters who want to move forward again, we can bring change to Tshwane. We can stop corruption, deliver better services and create jobs.

Issued by DA Tshwane