Political parties now hold sway

● Voters must become the only kingmakers

It is true that prior to the local government elections in 2016, many of us were convinced that governing through coalitions at national, provincial and local government level was the most appropriate and best suited model of governance for our beloved country.

The country was in desperate need of strong opposition parties represented in parliament, provincial legislatures and councils, but also needed a governance model that would ensure there was broader consultation through the establishment of coalitions in areas where there were no outright winners.

However, the theatrics we have witnessed thus far by political parties represented in the Nelson Mandela Bay, Tshwane, Johannesburg, Metsimaholo, Mogale City and other municipalities calls for the immediate review of our flawed electoral system and the coalition arrangements.

Although the electoral system at municipal level is a mixture of proportional and ward representation, political parties are still abusing the system and voters are merely used as politicians pawns.

The fact that the current system does not give voters powers to hold elected representatives accountable speaks volumes on the level of abuse meted out by political party leaders against voters.

It is extremely unfair that voters have to wait for the elected political party representatives’ office term to expire before they can get another opportunity to exercise their powers.

It is quite disheartening that in a country that continuously brags about having the best constitution in the world, the voices of the voters are limited to the five-year electoral cycle jamboree, except for their participation in other insignificant sideshows in-between elections such as imbizos and public hearings.

It is for this reason that some of us support the amendment of the relevant electoral act and regulations to introduce an elections runoff in all areas where there are no outright winners.

It is important for voters to become kingmakers in electoral politics and not the political parties’ bosses.

At the centre of our reformed electoral politics, which should include moving towards a more open and transparent constituency-based electoral system, only voters must be the kingmakers, not some selfish and power-hungry political party leaders.

Lesego Sechaba Mogotsi, member of the Azapo committee on publicity and information

Tshwane, Gauteng