eThekwini ratepayers' movement wins two municipal seats
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on IOL
The eThekwini ratepayers' political movement won two seats on the municipal council after receiving nearly 12,300 votes in the local elections. Its leader Asad Gaffar now wants to defend ratepayers' interests directly on the council, IOL reports.
The eThekwini ratepayers' political movement won two seats on the municipal council following South Africa's local elections, with nearly 12,300 votes, according to its leader Asad Gaffar, cited by IOL. The party, created by local ratepayers, now wants to defend residents' interests and municipal accountability issues directly on the council.
Asad Gaffar said the movement had previously challenged municipal decisions from outside the council and would now be able to intervene directly in the assembly. He acknowledged that the party had hoped to win a majority, but described its two elected representatives as a step towards continuing its work both inside and outside the council.
The entry into the council comes as eThekwini councillors have placed water and infrastructure among their priorities, according to an article published on 6 November. It also comes as coalition negotiations open in 120 South African councils, announced on 8 November.
