The turnout for the ward 97 committee election was shocking, but the process went ahead as planned on Sunday, 27 November at Amanzimtoti library.
By 9.25am with a cut-off of 9.30am, only 35 of a potential 14,820 residents in ward 97 who were registered for the 2016 Local Government elections had turned out to participate in the process.
The presiding officer indicated that he would extend registration to 11.30am following which several people departed, indicating they would return closer to the time.
However and on reporting the extended time to City Hall, he was instructed to commence with the people in attendance and without any further extension in time.
While contradictory to instructions received by staff members on Friday, 25 November, the presiding officer was reminded that it was a deferred meeting and that he was compelled to act in line with the instruction.
He agreed to a grace period of 30 minutes. Following the instruction to allow people to return or more to register, thereby growing the list to 62.
Despite frantic messages, calls and social media alerts, only 39 people were in the room when the doors closed at 10.10am – following complaints from the floor, a further five people chose to leave, further reducing numbers to 34.
Despite reminding those in attendance about the necessity of a demographic spread across the ward against the backdrop of diversity in interest and equity, the potential pool was too small to ensure proper representation.
Following 10 nominations, the presiding officer requested closure but the larger portion of the attendees insisted that nominations extend beyond 10 to an eventual 17, or 50% of those in attendance.
The process unfolded to the point where 10 people were elected by 32 (one person departed immediately prior to the vote being cast and one ballot was spoilt).
The process was, however not unique to ward 97, as although crowds in other wards swelled to as many as 1,000, the fundamental requirements to ensure participative democracy with a diversity in interest, knowledge and demographic spread remained largely unachieved, according to ward 97 councillor, Andre Beetge.
Elected members of ward committees across the city will need to conform to a set of criteria in terms of the regulations (see the eThekwini website at www.durban.gov.za on the rules and regulations for the establishment of ward committees) prior to being confirmed as active members of ward committees.
“The same regulations and processes were used during past ward committee elections, resulting in the municipality being unable to achieve the desired outcome,” said Cllr Beetge.
“Despite recommendations and objections, people remained ill-informed of the envisaged portfolios, expected outcomes or the proper application of the ward committee system.
What then makes this round of elections across the city different from the past?” questioned Cllr Beetge.
