Francisco accuses DA of overstepping in Ward 108 fire aid

ANC councillor Deborah Francisco said she welcomes political activity in her ward, provided it respects protocol and her role as the elected representative. Her comments follow a dispute with DA members distributing blankets to residents in Ward 108, which she claims bypassed her authority.

As part of their 25th birthday blanket donation drive on July 25, the DA set eyes on Alexandra, hoping to provide relief and support to residents who lost everything after a huge blaze gutted their houses on Mandela Day. The DA’s parliamentarian, Bridget Masango, said their donation drive was disrupted when Francisco confronted the team, insisting that no one can come to her ward without telling her.

Also read: DA’s fire relief donation ruffles ANC councillor’s feathers

But, according to Francisco, the issue was about the DA respecting ward boundaries and her role as a councillor in the area. “This is councillor Francisco’s ward. It was won by the ANC. So, what I was disputing is the way the DA is working—undermining me in my ward,” she shared. “They must ask for permission. When you get into somebody’s yard, you ask for permission. You don’t just get in how you like.”

She said even the council speaker, a non-ANC member, had followed protocol by notifying her before distributing items to fire victims, ensuring Francisco’s presence as the ward’s representative. “The speaker informed me, and I was there. Even when Johannesburg Water comes to bring projects here in the ward, they talk to the councillor first.”

She emphasised that the DA should have let her know about their plans in her ward. But her views were challenged by Masango. She said she found Francisco’s actions ‘somewhat blind to the destitute’.

Also read: City Power drives free basic electricity registration in Alexandra on Mandela Day

“I am a constituency head of the area and should not be blocked while doing political work that even the Constitution allows,” Masango shared.

Francisco insisted she had no problem with other parties’ political work, but it should not interfere with her governance of the ward. “When it comes to campaigning for members, they have every right to set up tables and campaign. I have no issue with their political work, but governance belongs to me. I don’t interfere with their wards,” she concluded.

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