ANDRÉ DU PLESSIS, DA ward councillor, writes:
The letter “Elderly ‘jump’ the election queues” (Express May 16) refers.
On voting day I was confronted very aggressively outside Bonaero Park Primary School by a middle-aged and able-bodied woman who shouted at me that I had no consideration for people who arrived early and wanted to vote early. She complained bitterly that I had no right to allow elderly people and people in wheelchairs to jump the queue.
She also stated that these people had an opportunity to do special votes the two days prior to election day.
Also read:
• Voter upset as the elderly ‘jump’ long voting queues
I tried to explain to her the procedures for special votes and that not everyone was aware nor had the opportunity to apply for special votes, for which applications already closed on April 18.
I personally accompanied the IEC officials to 72 home visits on those two days .
She was not interested in listening and shouted at me, “I don’t like you. I will never ever vote again. Never will I vote for you.”
I replied that if she did not respect the elderly and disabled, then I did not like her very much either.
For the record, I serve all my communities equally and with distinction.
In the 2016 elections only 68 per cent of the residents in Bonaero voted and not all voted for me either, yet I serve every single resident without concern about their affiliations.
In this past election only 65 per cent of the residents of Bonaero voted for the DA and 1 500 registered voters in Bonaero did not vote at all. However, I continue to serve my entire community with a full commitment to address their council-related issues to the best of my ability.
I have five voting stations with 14 817 registered voters and some queues were three hours long, where exactly the same process was being followed to assist the elderly and disabled without an incident similar to this one.
In fact, at the Lady Fatima voting station in Brentwood Park, young men in the queue assisted an elderly woman by carrying her forward in a normal plastic chair they got from the church so she would not have to stand too long.
Having said all that, if this complainant has any council service delivery issues, she is still most welcome to contact me for assistance and that applies to every resident in my Ward 23, irrespective of which political party they support.
I have three service delivery app groups for Bonaero Park where I am available 24/ 7 for residents to contact me with their council service delivery issues.
Anyone from Bonaero may join voluntarily and remain on the groups if they adhere to the rules and respect the other members of the groups .
I have similar communication groups for each of the eight suburbs in Ward 23, which includes the Bonaero Park, Atlasville, Goedeburg, Parkhaven/la Como/Clearwater, Brentwood Park, Northvilla, Pomona commercial area and a small portion of Northmead.
