Herman Mashaba‚ the Democratic Alliance mayoral candidate for the Johannesburg metro in the coming local government elections‚ plans to create black industrialists by decentralising Pikitup.

Speaking to Power FM Mashaba said Pikitup — the waste removal company belonging to the City of Johannesburg — was a cadre deployment for the African National Congress.

Decentralising the waste removal company would be easier than trying to amend its reputation‚ Mashaba said.

“People of Johannesburg are aware of the corruption happening at Pikitup. We will create seven independent companies that will service Johannesburg‚” Mashaba said.

He said his office would put out tender advertisements which would be open and transparent with a member from the opposition presiding over the tender committee to ensure fairness.

“Whoever wins the tender would need to be able to do the work. I’m confident that black entrepreneurs would be able to do the job‚” Mashaba said.

Mashaba asked that labour unions come to his support and said no jobs would be lost in the outsourcing he was proposing.

“Historically‚ Pikitup has been one of the worst run entities in the City of Johannesburg due to poor management and a lack of proper oversight. Pikitup is plagued with persistent problems which have resulted in it failing to keep our city clean‚” a DA statement said.