If the fierce behind-the-scenes candidate battles occurring in Alexandra are an omen of things to come on 3 August, then the ANC is in for one of its most bruising elections since the dawn of democracy more than 20 years ago.
Never has the ANC in the history of democracy faced such stiff competition in any election, a sign which has led to over complacency on the part of its leaders who have declared themselves rulers of this land until Jesus comes back to earth.
The emergence of Julius Malema’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has thrown the cat among the pigeons and set alarm bells ringing on the part of the ruling elite of this country who have become too comfortable.
The EFF has exerted its own presence, not only on a national level but in Alexandra as well and a number of wards in this township could be awarded to the EFF, especially Ward 107 which houses the neglected Helen Joseph Hostel.
This hostel has become an eyesore for residents and the community at large and the very ANC itself whose councillor, Ambie Maseko, happily lives in the unbearable stench of flowing human waste from burst sewer pipes, leaking water taps and erratic and poorly connected electricity cables.
Residents recently demonstrated against Maseko and the unbearable conditions of the hostel, and judging by this, her chances of retaining the ward are very slim, to say the least.
Read: Why are these elections important?
During a recent visit to the hostel, which was prompted by the coming municipal elections, MMC for Housing, Dan Bovu was told in no uncertain terms that he was not welcome there after ignoring the pleas of the residents for so many years. Residents also made it clear that Johannesburg mayor, Parks Tau, was also unwelcome.
“Come 3 August, the results of the elections will reflect our anger,” the women residents warned the MMC.
It is understood that someone, somewhere has been using the hostel as a cash cow, milking funds under the pretext of fixing the troubling issues, but the problems are never solved.
Maseko is in a contest with EFF Alex commander and political heavyweight, Mphahlele Moshe and it is going to interesting to see who wins this ward.
Two other Alex wards that the ANC is likely to lose include wards 105 and 75.
Ward 105 has one of the strongest candidates, Shadrack Mkhonto of the DA.
Outgoing ANC ward councillor, Joyce Ngwenya failed to make her presence felt and many residents described her as ‘a councillor in absentia’ as she was not reachable.
Outgoing Ward 75 councillor Chris Mabunda leaves his own dodgy legacy in that ward after accusations arose of the tampering of last year’s national election’s results which almost deteriorated into anarchy. Ballot boxes were found strewn all over his ward and Mabunda is still attending a court case about these allegations.
Of the eight wards in Alex, the ANC is most probably only assured of two wards, 81 and 109 of incumbent councillors Mokgadi Radebe and Lilian Kekana respectively, both of whom have done a sterling job. Ward 116 of outgoing ward councillor, Monde Mbingeleli could also go either way as he too has been labelled an inaccessible councillor.
Ward 91 could be retained by the DA while Ward 76 could go either way as well.
