Some residents in Tshwane say the failure of government and local authorities to bring services to communities should be blamed for Monday’s projected low voter turnout.
Tshwane is one of the most highly contested metros in Gauteng.
“If you can look at the percentage of the youth who are not working and they are giving us R350. As a father, how do you look after your children with that? Our government is only available to us when they want our votes. And they then tell us we will build houses and create jobs for you. During the year, we don’t see them. The government is doing nothing that we see,” says a resident.
LGE 2021 | SABC reporter Ofentse Setimo speaks to people at Marabastad in Tshwane
LGE 2021 | Voter turnout with Prof. Collette Schulz-Herzenberg
Meanwhile, residents of Ward 22 in Mabopane, north of Pretoria are pinning their hopes on new party candidate councillors.
Residents say the murder of one of the candidates, two months ago, will not stop them from holding councillors accountable. 46-year-old Tshepo Motaung was shot, execution-style, six weeks ago.
Residents believe the contesting candidates, irrespective of their political affiliation, will continue from where the slain councillor left off.
“Our hope is that the councillors will give us jobs and land, and better education and work so that we can work the community is not working,” says a resident.
“I hope the new councillor will work with us and stop this crime as well,” says another resident.
LGE 2021 I The battle for Tshwane
LGE 2021 | A look at voter turnout with Levy Ndou, Prof. Susan Booysen
