The African National Congress (ANC) aims to strengthen their party dominance during the Ward 72 by-elections expected to be held on 25 April.
This according to a regional party spokesperson, Jolidee Matongo, responding to the questions sent to him by the North Eastern Tribune.
The by-elections come after the previous Democratic Alliance’s councillor, Steven Kruger, resigned last December citing health issues.
Matongo said the ANC is a leader of the society and they believe it is important to win or to even increase votes in any by-election. “We want to strengthen party dominance and improve service delivery to all residents regardless of class or grouping.
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“The ANC has a branch in every ward and our structures continue to engage residents and partake in visibility campaigns to popularise our candidate.”
The ANC has nominated Pheladi Mafalo as their candidate to contest the by-elections with the DA nominating Lionel Greenberg as theirs and Thabiso Mmako for the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).
Matongo said his party intends to address issues affecting residents in the ward holistically and resolve them in the best interests of all concerned.
He said they intend to discuss the issues affecting the ward with residents and table them at council meetings for attention or approval and implementation.
“We intend to listen and appropriately record issues affecting residents in the ward and make follow-ups for answers and resolutions.
“We also want to work closely with the ward committees, community forums and residents in solving problems affecting them.”
The DA said they will go all out to ensure victory at polls following the by-elections and constituency leader, Jack Bloom, said they want to retain the ward.
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The party has promised to ensure that municipal departments do their job in fixing roads, cutting grass and collecting refuse.
“Greenberg has been a member of Ward 72 branch for years and he’s familiar with the issues as he is a long-time resident in Sydenham,” said Bloom.
“Lionel will use his legal expertise to enforce by-laws through the newly revitalised municipal courts.”
The EFF is adamant that it will come out victorious after the by-elections and claims it is the only party to bring about quality services in the Johannesburg north-east suburbs.
Musa Novela, leader of the EFF in Johannesburg, said they are ready to contest the by-elections in Ward 72.
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He said members of the party have been on the ground canvassing support and they are confident with the response thus far. “The EFF is the only hope for the people of Ward 72 and we’re confident that we’ll come out victorious.
“Only the EFF can bring about change in that area and only the EFF can ensure quality service delivery in Ward 72 and in Johannesburg in general.”
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