It’s all systems go as BCM’s ward 27 votes in by-elections

AFTER a year of not having representation in the Buffalo City Metro council, ward 27 residents will today head to voting stations to elect their new councillor.

The by-election will start today with special votes and normal voting will be done tomorrow.

Ward 27 – which includes Mzamomhle, Gonubie West, Gonubie North and Quenera North – has been without a councillor ever since ANC councillor Bhelekazi Mabandla resigned on the instruction of her party in August 2016.

Mabandla was erroneously registered with the Electoral Commission as the ward 27 ANC candidate instead of ward 28, Beacon Bay.

IEC national spokeswoman Kate Bapela said it was all systems go for the poll.

“The electoral commission has over the years worked with the security cluster to ensure that sufficient security around all elections, including ward by-elections, is provided for.

“Security around the Buffalo City Metro by-elections in ward 27 are no different.

“Therefore sufficient security has been provided for by the security cluster.

“The electoral commission administers elections and the security cluster takes care of all security-related matters,” said Bapela.

The ward will be contested by the ANC, DA, EFF and the United Front.

The ANC has fielded Boy-Boy Kalani to go up against Vusumzi Brandon Jako of the DA, the EFF hopes Buyani Mqadaru will win its first ward and increase its numbers in council, and Siphumo Sokoyi has been fielded by the UF.

EFF provincial convener Yazini Tetyana said they were confident of victory.

“We have been on the ground there, we started since the day of the announcement. Our candidate has been received well by the community. We have a strong candidate,” said Yazini.

Last week Mzamomhle was abuzz with political parties campaigning in the area.

The DA brought in bigwigs including parliamentary chief whip John Steenhuisen, MPL Nosimo Balindlela, DA provincial leader Nqaba Bhanga and some of the BCM DA councillors.

DA provincial spokesman Mlindi Nhanha said the DA was ready to offer the residents of ward 27 a new beginning.

“The ANC is too busy fighting amongst themselves and no longer cares about the needs of the people.

“The residents of ward 27 can send a powerful message to the ruling party that enough is enough.

“Corruption must go and service delivery must be speeded up,” said Nhanha.

ANC secretary Lulama Ngcukayithobi and the UF’s King Dyani were unavailable for comment yesterday at the time of writing. — simthandilef@dispatch.co.za