Battle for votes in Mogalakwena

MOKOPANE – With the upcoming municipal elections on our doorstep, politicians from six parties in the country met head-to-head in a live public debate regarding service delivery in Mogalakwena on SAfm last Friday.

The infamous status of the Mogalakwena Municipality for having four mayors and four municipal managers in less than five years, political infighting and their recent month long standstill were put under a magnifying glass.

The public grilled the panel consisting of Mogalakwena Municipality Mayor and African National Congress (ANC) representative, Parks Sebatjane, Solly Malatsi from the Democratic Alliance (DA), Jossey Buthane from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Mpowele Swathe from the United Christian Democratic Party (UCDP), Erik Mohlapamaswi from the Congress of the People (Cope) and Matlatso Selomo from the United Democratic Party (UDM) in a fiery and passionate debate.

When the parties were asked to rate their performance within Mogalakwena the EFF and Cope gave themselves a top score of 10/10, the DA and the UDM rated themselves 8/10, the ANC rated themselves 7/10 and the UCDP gave themselves a 6/10.

Sebatjane said: “These parties that have given themselves a higher rating than the ANC do not know the meaning of governance. When you govern, you understand that there will be challenges.”

He further responded to a question regarding the infighting within the ANC-run municipality by saying: “Since the intervention of the ANC there have been no infighting since June last year. Yes, we have faced challenges regarding the workers, but that had nothing to do with infighting and we are working on a solution with regards to their struggle.”

The parties were asked what they will bring to the table for the residents of Mogalakwena to which they answered:

• Cope – We do not believe that we are VIP’s, but the servants of the people.

We want to built reservoirs, invest in solar panels, erect Apollo lights and reduce crime.

• UDM – We will keep on listening and addressing the challenges of the community.

We will not tolerate catered employment and we will invest in the hospitals within Mogalakwena.

• EFF – We are here to commit in the improvement of the economical life within in Mogalakwena and bring back dignity to the poor masses.

• DA – We will spend on what we can afford in an honest manner.

We will fix the potholes and traffic lights, we will invest in a one-stop shop for local economical inquires and we will make sure that the workers’ salaries are properly graded.

• UCDP – We will make sure that basic service delivery is provided to all.

We will not tolerate corruption or catered employment and we will serve in the interest of the community.

• ANC – We will continue to build a better future for the community in providing services and investing in developments.

These are the words of the political parties in a nutshell.

The final say, however, lies within the community, use your voice and cast your vote on 3 August.

redaksie.bosvelder@nmgroup.co.za