By-elections: Makhura makes pledges to provide services to Soweto residents who blocked polling stations

Makhura addressed residents outside a local Methodist church and another group outside Atamelang Elementary School.

• Gauteng Prime Minister David Makhura has made promises to provide services to angry Naledi residents of Soweto, who had blocked two polling stations in the township.
• Makhura, who arrived dressed in ANC garb, addressed the residents a few meters from the two locations.
• Residents claimed they had been without power since June and vowed not to vote in local government by-elections.

Gauteng Prime Minister David Makhura has made promises to provide services to angry residents of Naledi, Soweto, who had blocked two polling stations in the municipality.

Residents vowed not to participate in the local government by-elections taking place in the area and demanded that electricity be restored to their homes.

They stated that they had no electricity since June 12 and that they did not see the need to participate in the by-elections.

Makhura, who arrived dressed in ANC garb, addressed residents outside a local Methodist church and another group outside Atamelang Elementary School.

He promised residents that power would be restored on November 27.

“I have spoken with Eskom officials, including [Public Enterprises] Minister Pravin Gordhan and his adviser Mandla Nkomfe, who want electricity, “Makhura said.

He continued that he was concerned about the people complaining on the day of the by-elections.

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“Our interest is to ensure that Eskom will honor its commitment and we will respect the rights of those who say they will not vote today. If Eskom does not deliver on its promise, I will be very disappointed.”

“They are not fighting with anyone. They do not need policemen to worry that they will cause violence. They assured me that there will be no violence. They are standing here saying they are not participating, and it is their democracy.” correct, “said Makhura.

He said he was in the municipality, not to campaign for the ANC, but to address residents outside the polling stations as the prime minister of the province.

“I am the prime minister of Gauteng. I am here to address them, either on Election Day or after Election Day,” he said.

Makhura claimed that he was not violating the Election Law by addressing residents wearing party insignia outside a polling station.

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“I keep being the prime minister of Gauteng on Election Day, and when the community is here saying we have a service delivery problem, I had to consult with Eskom why it has taken them so long.

“Eskom has committed to fixing their substation. I am taking this journey with the community. This is not a campaign and it is clear to me. They have told me that I should not tell (encourage) them to vote,” Makhura said.

EFF MP Mbuyiseni Ndlozi was also in the area and encouraged residents to exercise their right to vote.

“We are here after they told us that community members have blocked roads and closed polling stations. We go to them and explain that we are aware that they have no electricity and encourage them to vote.

“If they don’t vote, their problem will continue to exist because of people not serving. We have opened the voting table and helped set things up. The voting table is functional and ready to receive voters,” Nldozi said .

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IEC spokeswoman Kate Bapela said Makhura was allowed to address people, as long as she did so outside of a voting station.

“Unless you have called a demonstration in front of a polling station or have encouraged people to vote, [then] it would be a contravention (of the Electoral Law), only if he was going to a formal meeting. “

As for the protesters who blocked the entrance to the polling stations, Bapela said it was a crime.

“As much as protesting is a right, it is also a right to vote. Everyone has the right to vote. No one can stop people from voting, it is a crime. The police can also escort people who are afraid to vote.,” She said.

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