The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has promised to shake up local government with new plans to hold ward councillors accountable and says it only needs five years in government to prove itself.

The EFF launched its election manifesto in Soweto at the weekend in front of a packed Orlando Stadium.

The party said it wants to force councillors to stay in the communities they represent and only employ the best qualified people for the job.

The manifesto was launched by the party’s leader Julius Malema.

He said the EFF will take harsh action against corrupt councillors.

“Councillors want sex in exchange for jobs and houses. EFF councillors be warned, you must know you’re fired with immediate effect. We don’t want corrupt councillors.”

Malema also said should his party win certain municipalities, EFF councillors would be mandated to pay for funerals of the poor.

He said all EFF councillors would be available to the community around the clock.

“We’re bringing a councillor who’s going to bury those who are poor and can’t afford to bury themselves. Every councillor must make his cellphone [number] public and that phone must work 24 hours [a day].”

Malema also vowed to change all street names of white apartheid leaders.

“There will never be any symbol that represents apartheid and any symbol that reminds us of the past.”

He said his party municipality councillors have to lead by example.

“We don’t want drunks, who [urinate] on the streets in front of children, we want them to lead by example.”EWN