Local elections: Chatsworth community demands accountability and action

CHATSWORTH residents and business owners are gearing up for voter registration and the local government elections, demanding accountability and action against corruption, crime and gender-based violence (GBV) as they prepare to cast their votes.

- YOSHINI PERUMAL

Residents who spoke to the POST following the announcement of the voter registration dates said they demanded accountability and change in their communities.

Westcliff resident Bobby Mottian, 77, said he chose to vote for a candidate who was well-educated and equipped to deal with community issues.

He said he encouraged residents to also choose wisely when they went to the polls, and urged them not to vote for those who failed to deliver on their promises after the last elections.

“The candidates must be educated. They must be familiar with the bylaws and financial needs of communities. It takes two to tango — businesses must also take responsibility for corruption as they entice councillors with bribes for contracts, and this affects service delivery.

“All political parties must not shield wrong doers. They have to bring them to book, and those found guilty of contraventions of the law must not be eligible to stand for elections. If people are inefficient and struggle to deliver services, they must be recalled,” Mottian said.

Samantha Lalbahadur, 51, a resident of Montford, said she had voted since 1994 and would continue to do so in the hope that their daily challenges of water outages and poor service delivery were addressed.

“I hope that the needs of South Africans are taken seriously. We are facing daily challenges such as the lack of water, high electricity bills, poor infrastructure and neglected sporting facilities. I will be voting for a better future for all South Africans.

“I am also voting for change in terms of GBV. I would like to see harsher sentences and punishment for GBV offenders, and for victims to be taken more seriously. The government has already made a positive step by classifying GBV as a national disaster, and now the laws must be upheld,” she said.