Motherwell residents who registered for a special vote on Tuesday turned up at the four voting stations in Ward 57, casting their ballots in the hopes that the elected candidate will address persistent water leaks in their area.
Party representatives from the ANC, EFF, Bosa and Azapo were stationed outside the venues encouraging as many registered voters to make their mark.
Resident Lindikhaya Mahlanyana, who voted at Fumisukoma Primary School, said there were many service delivery issues that needed to be addressed in his area but water leaks and unemployment were a priority.
“You often see certain people benefit from job opportunities in the community but most of us have no idea how those people were appointed, let alone the call for people to come forward when there are jobs available.
“The only time we are called to meetings is when they need our votes.
“I have a long-standing water leak in my yard that I have been reporting to the councillor and the municipality and all I would get is that they are working on it.
“I need that fixed, and I hope the person I voted for will address these issues,” Mahlanyana said.
Another resident at Fumisukoma, Lindiwe Manona, said the reason she decided to go vote was because of a leak at a property next door that flooded her yard.
“I initially thought the leak was in my yard until people from the municipality came to inspect and discovered it was next door and therefore would not fix it because the owner had to be the one who reports it.
“That was such a strange thing for municipal workers to say, because my neighbour will not report the leak as it doesn’t affect them.
“They are young neighbours who give me attitude when I raise this issue and I’ve got to a point where I don’t know who to turn to because I’ve reported this to the previous councillor but nothing was done.
“Today I voted for a different party in the hope that the new councillor will help me.”
A voter at Nxanelwimfundo Primary School, Balisa Mthana, said she had a problem with an abandoned house next to hers which had become a criminal den and hoped the candidate she voted for would help get it demolished.
The Herald
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