The people have spoken

EDITOR – Despite all the drama of the 2016 Local Government Elections there is one poignant result that has a bitter sweet feel for many of the people in their ward.

Ward 12 in eThekwini was an ANC stronghold that was won in 2011 with 75% of the vote. But this is also the ward of the late chairperson of the Abahlali baseMjondolo Movement in KwaNdengezi, Thuli Ndlovu.

She was assassinated in cold blood in in her own home by a hit man in September 2014. Why? Because, she bravely took on two ANC councillors who were involved in the corruption of RDP houses in the area. The councillor for ward 12, Mduduzi Ngcobo and PR councilor, Velile Lutyeku together with the hit man, Mduduzi Ngcobo were found guilty of her murder in May this year, and goaled.

On Wednesday, Ward 12 voted in an independent candidate, Vusumuzi Mbanjwa who defeated the ANC candidate by 49% to just under 44%.

The ANC speaker, Logie Naidoo, refused to dismiss the two councillors, and in fact they have been drawing council salaries even though they were in prison. The ratepayers have forked out in excess of a R1 million in salaries since they were arrested. One wonders what an ANC councillor would need to do to be considered unsuitable for office?

If the ANC is asking questions about the election results, then here is a further example of an uncaring municipality that is paying lip service to their claim of being anti-corruption.

This a wonderful result for the memory of a brave activist, Thuli Ndlovu.

The people have spoken on her behalf. Now she can truly rest in peace.

Kevin Dunkley

Cheryl Johnson

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