Africa-Press – South-Africa. Three wards across KwaZulu-Natal are holding by-elections in what is expected to be highly-contested areas.
The ward elections are taking place, on Wednesday, in Ward 73, Chatsworth in the eThekwini metro, Ward 12 of Mandeni Municipality, and Ward 12 of Umzimkhulu Municipality where, over the past few weeks, political parties sent their honchos to woo voters.
Ward 73 is said to be a two-horse race between the ANC and the DA.
The ANC went as far as dispatching President Cyril Ramaphosa, in early May, to speak to the voters and welcome a former DA councillor in the area, Ronnie Pillay, who will now contest as an ANC candidate.
Pillay cited his track record as the area’s long-serving councillor, and the fact that he’s attracted more than 100 activists who had previously been working with him.
Ramaphosa unveiled the activists who crossed the floor from the DA in a visit to Chatsworth in early May.
Pillay will be slugging it out against his predecessor in the DA candidacy, Daniel Mea.
“I never lost neither municipal [n]or by-elections for the party. The community trusts me very well, so I didn’t want to lose their trust. The DA said if I wanted to leave, I should leave.”
He said the ANC has allowed him to continue working for the people.
Pillay said: “I know for a fact I can provide better service for our people. I’ve been with the DA and it did nothing for the people. ”
“Being with the ANC, I can deliver service. I came with more than 100 DA members, who are activists for years with me. Wherever I go they come with me, but they were also fed up with the DA. They resigned with me. They assisted in providing service delivery.”
Mea, 27, said Pillay had “disappointed” the ward as councillor by “misleading” them and promising them food vouchers and hampers, which they ended up not receiving.
“I will be upfront. I won’t make promises I won’t keep,” Mea said.
Mea added: “I’m young. The difference between myself and [Pillay] is the age gap. I’m energetic. I can assure them that I’ll work very closely with the community.”
“Based on ground work, residents are angry and there are many poor people in the ward. People can’t be promised and services aren’t delivered to them.”
He said the main issues in Chatsworth are crater-like potholes, broken street lights, unkempt parks, water issues, among other things.
Meanwhile, Cooperative Governance MEC Bongiwe Sithole-Moloi stressed the significance of maintaining peaceful and respectful conduct by all parties involved.
She said:
The MEC also emphasised the importance of selecting councillors who will dedicate their efforts to enhancing service delivery and addressing community needs.
“I urge all parties and candidates to uphold the electoral code of conduct and demonstrate respect for the integrity of the democratic process. Let us embrace the principles of democracy and work together to build a prosperous future for all,” Sithole-Moloi said.
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