A total of 331 new voters have registered ahead of the Mangaung Metro municipal ward by-elections scheduled for 19 July. The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) in the Free State facilitated registration on Saturday (03/06) and Sunday for eligible South African citizens.
This afforded voters the chance to register and verify their registration details. The by-elections will be held to fill four vacant positions, in wards 7, 29, 49, and 50 in Mangaung.
Including the new registered voters, the respective wards’ number of registered voters are:
- ward 7 in Bloemfontein (7 017 voters);
- ward 29 in Botshabelo (8 188 voters);
- ward 49 in Thaba Nchu (7 892 voters); and
- ward 50 in Wepener (7 166 voters).
The positions were held by representatives of the ANC and became vacant after the ruling party expelled them in March.
In total, eight councillors were sacked. They are former speaker Stephanie Lockman-Naidoo, Patrick Monyakoane, Mapaseka Mothibi-Nkoane, Chabeli Rampai (ward 7), Mpho Mokoakoa (ward 29), Lehlohonolo Moqolo (ward 49), Lelala Makoa (ward 50) and Puseletso Seleke. Lockman-Naidoo resigned days before her expulsion by the ruling party.
The troubled ANC in Mangaung expelled them, alleging they voted with the opposing DA party, culminating in Maryke Davies being elected the speaker in the Mangaung council. Political instability in Mangaung has hamstrung basic services and fuels the wave of discontent among citizens.
The existing doom and gloom has scores of residents doubting to go to the polls to vote. Some residents expressed disgust about the situation in Mangaung.
“I have verified my status for when I decided to vote. In truth, I am extremely doubtful to vote in the upcoming by-election given the political swindle in the Mangaung Metro. Becoming a ward councillor is a ticket to the gravy train. Once voted into office, we see arrogance amongst most ward councillors while we, the youth, suffer and live in abject poverty,” said a 28-year-old woman, who resides in Freedom Square.
The woman, who opted to not reveal her identity verified her status at the Polokehong Primary School.
A 60-year-old woman, who also verified her status, said she was voting in the hope things will improve.
“The past 30 years I have seen nothing tangible happening. The pain and frustration to see many young people jobless and conditions depleting rapidly is all we see. What we are not speaking about is wasteful management of millions and corruption that see the few benefiting instead of the larger society.
“Rebuilding collapsed infrastructure in all municipalities is work or jobs that can be done by the masses of unemployed youth. All we hear are repeated nonsensical stories that there are no jobs while millions get wasted every day,” she said.
