By REGINALD KANYANE
Most residents at Bodibe village near Lichtenburg in North West, told the EFF leader, Julius Malema that, there is a lack of basic service delivery in their area. They said even though they are not sure, which political party they will vote for on 14 December 2022 during by-elections, change is inevitable.
Malema visited the area on Sunday (11 December 2022) in an attempt to garner more votes for his party ahead of by-elections. The embattled Ditsobotla Local Municipality has been dissolved two months ago after it was marred with infights, mismanagement of funds, and poor service delivery.
One of the residents, Masabatha Mothibi said, they are many challenges in their area such as unemployment, lack of electricity, and provision of clean and drinkable water including inaccessible roads, especially during the rainy season.
“It is not fair for politicians to come here only when they want our votes. I have been volunteering for 19 years as a Community Health Worker (CHW) at a local clinic, but they do not hire us,” she said.
Malema said he had a consultative engagement with a local chief, Kgosi Edward Matlaba, who told him about the challenges the community is faced with. He alleged that, ANC leaders have been stealing from the Ditsobotla and working together with mines.
“All the mines operating here in the area, have signed a Social Development Programme (SDP) to outline their plans in developing the area they mining in. They committed in developing the area by building schools, constructing roads, and ensuring that there is a provision of clean and drinkable water, but they are not doing that.
“They have not done that because ANC leaders like president Cyril Ramaphosa have shares in those mines. So, as EFF, we want to commit that, if we get into power, we will ensure that those mines adhere to their agreement,” he said.
According to Malema, they will also ensure that Bodibe village becomes one of the smart cities because it has natural resources. Malema said the only challenge across the African continent is corruption.
“If we can combat corruption, no person will be unemployed. The problem is, the money that is allocated for service delivery is being pocketed by these corrupt politicians.
“We have seen clinics being closed at 4pm, but liquor stores being opened. We want healthcare centres that are open 24 hours. This has affected and dehumanised pregnant women because most of them give birth at the back of the bakkies while being rushed to the hospital just because the clinics are closed,” said Malema.
Meanwhile, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) chairperson in North West, Dr Tumelo Thiba said: “The IEC is ready for the by-elections in Ditsobotla. The special voting will be on 13 December 2022, while the actual by-elections Day will be on 14 December 2022.
“There are 15 political parties and two independent candidates, who have been registered. We have also seen much interest in special votes because we have received 8453 applications that have been approved.”
*This article was firstly published in Daily Sun
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