Solly Msimanga has announced his intention to resign as Tshwane mayor.
Msimanga, who has been the capital city’s mayor since 2016, made the announcement at a media briefing on Friday.
He says his resignation will be finalised within the first two weeks of February.
Msimanga will be quitting to focus on his campaign as the Democratic Alliance’s Gauteng premier candidate for the 2019 elections.
“Up until the last hour, I will continue serving the people of Tshwane and putting their needs first,” Msimanga said.
“This decision was not made lightly or hastily, and I have done so because I believe it best serves the interests of the people of Tshwane, and Gauteng as a whole.
When I took office, Tshwane was effectively bankrupt and was being used as an ATM for corrupt activities, which robbed the people of a chance to live a life of dignity. pic.twitter.com/5v2mhn9IKf
— Solly Msimanga (@SollyMsimanga) January 18, 2019
Traveling across Gauteng during the past several months, I am heartbroken to see that what the failing ANC did in Tshwane, they have been doing across the province. pic.twitter.com/aeJTfy4dd3
— Solly Msimanga (@SollyMsimanga) January 18, 2019
Inherited a R2 billion deficit.
We were able to correct this and show a surplus at the end of the first financial year in office in 2017.
— Solly Msimanga (@SollyMsimanga) January 18, 2019
We uncovered over R1.5 billion that was squandered by the previous ANC government and were able to reduce unauthorized expenditure by over a billion rand and irregular expenditure by R100 million.
— Solly Msimanga (@SollyMsimanga) January 18, 2019
Source: eNCA