Snyman who was recently re-elected as the councillor in the area after taking over from Marcel Ravid in November last year, said there are many reasons which led to her resignation but cited abuse as the main issue.
She said there was a chairperson in Orange Grove who had a conflict of interest by working for the Johannesburg Property Company on the Paterson Park project. “Every time I stood up for the rights of the people from Norwood who are affected by the project, he would write horrible things about me to the residents of Orange Grove calling me a rookie and incompetent,” Snyman expressed.
“I just got to a point where I had enough of the abuse.”
Snyman said she had enjoyed serving the residents of the ward immensely and found great satisfaction assisting with the resolution of problems in a basic service delivery environment.
She also thanked all the residents who believed in her and showed support throughout her tenure as councillor.
“I am so sorry to those I have disappointed. I am also endlessly grateful to the selfless volunteers in the ward,” said the outgoing councillor.
Chad Thomas, host of a local radio show on ChaiFM and social commentator, stated that the job of a councillor is a lot harder than most people realise. “Councillors are mostly part-time employees of the City of Johannesburg, yet their job in their ward is 24 hours a day. Residents take virtually all their complaints to the councillors hoping for a speedy resolution whereas all the councillor can really do, is try to escalate the complaint to the necessary authorities.
Read: Newly sworn-in councillor has great plans for residents in her ward
“Typical complaints relate to water and electricity interruptions, illegal dumping and potholes etc. With most wards now having WhatsApp groups, the residents are contacting the councillors 24/7. It is actually an unenviable job.”
Strike Rambani is now the new interim councillor for Ward 73.
Details: 072 140 1768.
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