Big three go at it live on radio

With only a few weeks to go before the local municipal elections on Wednesday, 3 August, the IEC Hall at the Randfontein Civic Centre was the venue of a live radio debate broadcast in Sesotho and hosted by the SABC’s Lesedi FM.

The parties contesting the elections had delegates on the panel, whose task it was to share the opinions of those who attended.

Before the programme went on air, the hall reverberated to the sound of liberation songs and toyi-toyi dances performed by supporters of the ANC, EFF and Randfontein People’s Party (RPP) all fully clad in their respective party regalia touting each other.

Delegates on the discussion panel included Executive Mayor Mzi Khumalo, representing the ANC; Tina Mabale of the EFF; George Molale of Cope; Ali Mosina of the RPP, and Refiloe Ntshega of the DA.

The event was slightly marred by a chaotic element within the audience. Khumalo had no choice but to put party politics aside and, in his capacity as mayor, call the unruly members of the audience supporting both the ANC and other parties to order.

We are here to engage, not to provoke or to be provoked,” he said.

“We are a peaceful community.” He appealed to the audience to behave well, and said that if there was no tolerance among the parties the SABC would not come to the town again.

In response to a question from an EFF member in the audience about the appointment of a Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) in the council, Khumalo said within the structures of the ANC, an individual can actually be appointed as MMC.

The EFF’s delegate, Mabale, said the crime issue could be dealt with by constant patrols. She said land will be taken to the people and unoccupied spaces earmarked for shopping malls will be used for housing. Rooting out corruption is also one of the EFF’s election promises to the voters.

Mosina, speaking for the RPP, said, “As the RPP we have been mandated by the residents to look at ‘Pink Forms’ for application for houses dating back to 1996.”

Ntshega, speaking for the DA, claimed that the party has the best housing delivery.

We have won certain towns, and we want to remove the bucket toilet system”, she said.

She also referred to Cape Town as an example of what the DA has achieved.

The Cope representative, Molale, said “As Cope we promise the community good governance and responsible councillors.”

In response to a question asked by people in attendance about indigent policies and other matters, specifically mentioning corruption in the ANC-led municipal council, Khumalo said, “Opposition have nothing to put on the table. We can’t respond to allegations, we will stick to our indigent policies.

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