By Masilo Malakwane
QWAQWA- President of African National Congress Cyril Ramaphosa who was leading by- elections campaign in KwaZulu-Natal has announced that local government elections will be in October.
Another by elections campaign was held during final voter registration weekend at Ward 25 of Maluti-a-phofung where different political parties used by it to drum up support ahead of May 19 by-election.
Ward 25 became vacant following the death of ward councilor Connie Rammoane.
African National Congress(ANC) which will be defending ward 25, deployed Sdumo Dlamini who is a Member of National Executive Committee to lead campaign. Economic Freedom Fighters which is the main opposition party in the Maluti-a-Phofung local municipality, delegated its regional secretary Mohau Molwelwe. While Map16 Civic Movement was led by its election coordinator Neo Mahao.
Drumming up for supports failures and internal battles of the governing ANC were used as weapon to sway voter from ANC, with the focus on poor delivery of service.
But in defense Dlamini said there were indications from the residents of ward 25 that the ANC will come out victorious regardless of the party’s experience of factional battles.
“I don’t think they would have much of an impact in this elections. We will have to work together to win this ward, however, we are encouraging people to register. Hopefully by so doing we will retain it, ”he said.
MAP16 Civic Movement electoral coordinator, Neo Mahao stated that their councilor’s track record proves that they are way better when compared to the ones of the ruling party.
He said they have won the hearts of the residents of Maluti a Phofung .
“Our vision is very clear, ‘Maluti ke habo rona’. Besides we are contesting this ward with a candidate who was in the forefront of fighting for the lack of service delivery and who is been there during the shortage of water saga and JoJo tanks.”
Another political African Alliance of Social Democrats coordinator, Zwelakhe Msabe, pinned his hope on their manifesto.
“Nothing is more important than having to build a good partnership with the residents, we need to change the mindset of providing poor service delivery to our people as compared to the areas dominated by whites.”
EFF regional secretary Mohau Molwelwe said they have already earned trust of the people through their efforts in keeping the ruling party accountable.
“Our candidate’s credentials speak for itself; he is an academic and that itself set him apart from his fellow candidates. We are known for putting pressure on the ruling party. We are the ones who forced the former executive mayor Vusi Tshabalala to resign, and we took the ANC to court on many occasions due to maladministration. All we need is to be given an opportunity to lead because we’ve seen that the ANC have failed in numerous occasions as far as service delivery is concern,” he said.
ANC which has nominated Mathapelo Mahamutsa, who will be facing a stiff competition against EFF’s Lesedi Malimabe, Map16’ Paul Masoeu and ASSD’s Oupa Setisho.
Another ward up for grab in Free State is ward35 in Matjhabeng Local Municipality which also form part of 40 wards to be contested.
According to Independent Electoral IEC voters may also check and update their details at their local (municipal) Electoral Commission office on weekdays during office hours.
