In South Africa, PA candidate promises to write off municipal debts for households — Daily Maverick
In Gqeberha, South Africa, Nelson Mandela Bay metro mayoral candidate Bradley Murray of the Patriotic Alliance promised to write off municipal debts for households whose homes are valued at R1 million or less if the party gains control of the city. Murray’s campaign was launched on September 21 by PA leader and Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie, Daily Maverick reports.
Murray, who previously served on the mayoral committee for roads and transport, said there had been widespread errors in the municipal billing system for about five years. He proposed allowing the system to correct the calculations while writing off debts for owners of properties valued at up to R1 million.
As of the end of April, total outstanding debt to the municipality stood at R23.42 billion, of which R20.35 billion was owed by households. McKenzie said the write-off should mark the beginning of “a completely clean slate.”
Statements about foreign-owned shops
Murray also placed immigration and foreign-owned shops at the center of his campaign, referring to the PA’s “Abahambe” slogan. He said that under PA rule, such establishments would “feel” the authorities’ actions. He called Durban Road in the Korsten area a key point of the Abahambe campaign; many foreign-owned shops operate on this street.
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McKenzie said the PA wants to introduce a new municipal bylaw to combat businesses that employ undocumented foreigners. In May 2024, Human Rights Watch named McKenzie among politicians whom the organization assessed as having scapegoated foreign nationals ahead of that year’s general elections. The organization cited his speech in November 2023 and warned that such rhetoric could trigger violence.
City leadership and election campaign
Among his first priorities, Murray named resolving the situation involving city manager Noxolo Nqwaza and appointing a permanent head of the administration. Nqwaza has been on precautionary suspension for nearly three years. In May, the parliamentary committee on cooperative governance and traditional affairs said her suspension had continued since 2024 and had cost the municipality more than R6.7 million in salary alone. Her disciplinary hearing was later terminated due to failure to meet key procedural requirements.
The PA candidate also listed unemployment, electricity supply, water supply and crime among the metro’s problems. McKenzie added that the party intends to address neglected sports and recreational infrastructure. The PA left the city coalition in November 2024; before that, Murray held a position on the roads and transport committee.
