Water and electricity cuts dominate election concerns
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on IOL
Water and electricity cuts are among voters’ main concerns in South Africa’s municipal elections, with sometimes lengthy interruptions and deteriorating infrastructure. Residents of Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban are asking future councillors to improve essential services, according to IOL.
Water and electricity cuts are among the main concerns of South African voters in Wednesday’s local elections, who are calling on future municipal councillors to restore basic services, IOL reports. Residents of Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban also cited the state of roads, rubbish collection and security as priorities.
In Kraaifontein, in the Western Cape province, 69-year-old Edward Feltman said electricity cuts had recently lasted from 13 to 16 hours and water interruptions could continue for three or four days. In Midrand, a voter identified by her first name, Thembi, said her neighbourhood was still without water on polling day.
In Durban North, Lindi Britz called on municipalities to improve information for residents when water or electricity is cut off. Voters in Fochville, in Gauteng, also called for potholes to be repaired and for a visible improvement in services, according to IOL.
These demands extend the water cuts and degraded services at the centre of municipal elections in Johannesburg, reported on 2 November. Vote counting was also continuing on 5 November at 546 polling stations in KwaZulu-Natal.
