Ward 23 by-elections: residents hope for change as voting continues

Voting in the Ward 23 by-elections to replace the former DA ward councillor, Andre du Plessis, who recently resigned, is well underway in the constituency.

Du Plessis announced his resignation in August, due to deteriorating health conditions related to having contracted Covid-19.

The polls in the constituency (Evangelical Lutheran Church, Atlasville Tennis Club, Bonaero Park Primary and Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church) officially opened at 07:00 and will close at 21:00. However, those in the queue at 21:00 will be allowed to cast their vote.

There were no reported issues, and according to officials they opened on time as the necessary materials were delivered on time and workers were standing ready to assist voters a few minutes before the official opening time.

DA’s candidate Gerald Goslin, ANC’s candidate Roslynn Alexander and EFF’s candidate Mmapule Aphane are running for the only Ekurhuleni ward up for grabs.

According to observers’ records, by 16:00, the combined total of people who had cast their vote in the ward was just over 1430.

The Boksburg Advertiser visited the Atlasville Tennis Club polling station where voters interviewed by this publication described the process as quick and easy –as there were no long queues. Counting is expected to start immediately after the polling stations have officially closed. It’s still unclear how long it will take the IEC to announce the official results, but preliminary results are expected sooner.

Voters hoping for change in social conditions
Residents told this publication that they expect change amid what they described as dwindling service delivery, and a spike in infrastructure vandalism, particularly in the northern suburbs of Boksburg.
They echoed their frustration about the key concerns and said they hope that whoever wins will address things like unplanned power outages, potholes, dysfunctional streetlights, and erratic rubbish collections.
Gavin Hewitt of Atlasville, who had just cast his ballot at the Atlasville Tennis Club polling station, said: “I am expecting change, and I’m hoping the new councillor will keep an eye on things that affect us, which include faulty streetlights, potholes, poor workmanship when officials do repairs to the infrastructure.”

Atlasville’s Angie Charles said she voted against corruption because if they can get rid of all the corruption, their problems will be fixed.
“They must get all our concerns back on the IDP because our area has for years been neglected and treated badly.”
She said the new person needs to see to it that their pool and roads are maintained and that the taxi rank is moved to a bigger space, enough to accommodate the volume of mini-bus taxis and have proper ablution facilities.

Catherine Higgins of Atlasville: “I want the new person to prioritise our roads, electricity, and streetlights.”
Henry Higgins: “All I want to see is improved service delivery and the general upkeep of the ward because we are paying for it. My key concern is the electricity outages that have nothing to do with load-shedding, but are caused by substations that constantly blow up.”

Atlasville’s Gops Pillay: “I voted because I think it’s my civic duty to do so and I think potholes and garbage collection need to take priority.”

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