Ekurhuleni Prioritises Short-Term Financial Gain Over Residents’ Well-Being

During today’s council meeting, the Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) strongly objected to the Ekurhuleni Metro’s decision to allow festivals and events to be held in public spaces between 24 and 27 December in order to boost the Metro’s revenue.

While the Metro paints it as an economic opportunity, the reality is that such gatherings are often accompanied by disorderliness, littering, increased crime, brawls and the reckless use of fireworks. These are all factors that threaten residents’ safety and disturb the peace in neighbourhoods.

The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD), which is already under strain, will be required to increase visibility and work even harder to maintain order during these festivals.

It is unrealistic to expect the EMPD, with its limited resources, to manage these gatherings in addition to the general increase in crime during the festive season.

In the Freedom Front Plus’s view, this decision is rash and short-sighted.

It prioritises short-term financial gain over the long-term well-being of residents, while ignoring the inevitable social and environmental impacts.

The party will hold the Metro accountable for the consequences of this decision, demanding an approach that prioritises communities’ safety, health and well-being.

FF+ Manifesto on Water security: Ensuring access to clean water.

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