Democratic Alliance (DA) Tshwane mayoral candidate Randall Williams on Thursday indicated that the party will be capacitating clinics in a bid to flatten the curve of the coronavirus (Covid-19).

Williams was addressing a virtual press briefing in which he launched his vision for the City of Tshwane to become a “responsive and transparent” city. The vision will be used over the next 15 months.

“We will capacitate clinics to expand testing and treatment for residents and increase funding to support vulnerable groups and nongovernmental organisations providing social relief,” he said.

He explained that through a stringent Covid-19 plan, the party would demonstrate its leadership in containing the spread of Covid-19 by prioritising health and social development, sourcing relevant protective equipment and undertaking training.

The Covid-19 impact on the city’s finances would be regularly assessed, while the city would pursue rates relief for residents during the lockdown period, expand the indigent register to facilitate a basket of basic services to residents who were at risk, as well as assist vulnerable communities.

Williams announced the restructuring of the City’s budgeting systems to introduce better grants to support vulnerable communities.

He said the plan will build on past successes and ensure full delivery of services.

The DA will set new targets and ensure a faster turnaround time in relation to complaints from residents pertaining to water and electricity outages, pothole repairs, finance queries and malfunctioning traffic lights.

He added that the provision of water and electricity will be prioritised and the city will track updates on the status of service delivery projects weekly through a mayoral dashboard.

“We intend to expand our safety offering to residents by introducing a dedicated inner city patrol unit, increase the number of operations to counter cable theft and illegal dumping, have focused crime prevention strategies to combat the scourge of drugs and ensure speedy prosecutions at municipal courts,” Williams said.

He also spoke of blacklisting service providers who steal from the city.