Ramaphosa warns ANC candidates against arrogance and corruption - TimesLIVE

President Cyril Ramaphosa ended his whirlwind two-day campaign in KwaZulu-Natal on Thursday with a blunt warning to ANC councillor candidates: do not be aloof, do not look down on people, and do not steal development money once you are elected.

His blitz focused squarely on eThekwini, where polls predict the ANC is facing its toughest test in democratic South Africa and could lose the metro for the first time — ironically to the party of its former president Jacob Zuma, the MK Party. Whether his last-minute push will shift votes will only be clear after November 4.

The tour unfolded under a tight ring of security that followed him throughout, with SAPS, metro police and the presidential protection service lining his route and screening venues. Along parts of the route, MK Party supporters picketed, waving placards and chanting as his convoy passed.

In Hambanathi, where he ended, IFP supporters joined the MK Party picket, turning the roadside into a noisy display of opposition colours.

In an indirect attack on the MK Party, Ramaphosa told supporters only the ANC has the policies, capacity and experience to deliver meaningful development. He said during his campaign in KZN, many people told him they did not have jobs.

“We are working hard to grow this economy; in KZN there are many projects aimed at strengthening the infrastructure, growing the economy and creating jobs,” he said.

In his capacity as head of the government, Ramaphosa started Thursday morning in Montclair at Montclaire Lodge, identified as the first government-owned temporary emergency accommodation facility for families displaced by the 2022 floods. The Presidency said the visit was to assess progress in providing shelter and efforts to repurpose government buildings for affordable housing, with plans to refurbish 500 more units there to provide over 1,000 units for those still in temporary shelters.

From Montclair he moved to Cornubia, north of Durban, where he handed over houses to beneficiaries at one of the largest integrated human settlements in the province. The event took place in scorching heat, with residents waiting hours in the sun.

“This development represents hope for the many families who were affected by the catastrophic floods that swept through this province four years ago. In 2022, these families lost everything. Today [Thursday], they receive a permanent home they can call their own,” Ramaphosa said.

President Cyril Ramaphosa attends the milestone celebration of the Cornubia integrated human settlements project, north of Durban, on October 29 2026. Picture: Sandile Ndlovu He recalled how the government had first sheltered families in mass care centres and then in cramped temporary emergency accommodation where public transport was hard to reach and pupils travelled long distances to schools before the provincial government identified Cornubia as the permanent solution.

He said another 145 houses were under construction in phase 2, which was launched on Thursday, and by mid-2027 a total of 460 permanent homes should have been completed. He said emergency accommodation must never become permanent.

After the government programme, he switched to party colours — first in Tongaat, then in Hambanathi.

In Tongaat Hall, he addressed South African Democratic Teachers Union members who came bearing a list of nine grievances about conditions in schools and communities.

Ramaphosa went through the grievances one by one and committed to solving them. He told teachers that the government will speed up the allocation of funds to schools and more teachers will be hired, along with other administrative positions, to fill vacant posts and ease the burden on teachers, before urging members to help the ANC in its final push.

Then on Hambanathi to address supporters and ANC election candidates.

“I’m saying to our candidates, the people chose you because they have trust and confidence in you. Do not disappoint them, work hard, don’t be aloof, don’t look down on them, don’t run away from them, and most importantly, don’t steal money for development.”

He told volunteers the ANC must earn back trust street by street, house by house, and that renewal would be judged not in Luthuli House but in the wards.

He ended his KZN visit with a call for discipline and unity on the ground.

“If we are united, if we are humble, if we do not steal, the people will renew our mandate. If we are arrogant, we will lose them,” he said.