Don’t be fooled by well-timed political posturing

I REFER to the letters from Patrick Pillay (“Grant increase an insult”) and Jonathan Annipen (“Safe driving saves lives”) which appeared in your esteemed newspaper, from February 28 to March 4.

Like Rip Van Winkle, these two politicians have suddenly surfaced from a deep sleep and now show concerns at issues affecting the Indian community. Is it because elections are around the corner? I certainly believe so.

One of the unfortunate traits of politicians is that they project themselves as stalwarts of the community by thrusting themselves into newspapers in order to woo voters for their support at the ballot boxes.

If truth be told, when we need them we are given the cold shoulder. We are given excuses such as “I have to attend meetings, put your complaints in writing” or “did you lodge a complaint with the municipality”. Also, they are notorious for not answering their phones or returning calls.

Out of frustration we have to take up complaints on our own instead of being helped by these politicians.

In a few isolated cases, some councillors do go the extra mile to serve the community but they make it known to all and sundry, through the media, that they have the welfare of the community at heart.

The promises made by prospective candidates during elections are very different from what they do once they are elected.

REKHA PREMSHAND Phoenix