The DA is determined to keep Ward 4 blue in next month’s by-election.
This past weekend, Premier Helen Zille joined the DA’s candidate for the upcoming Ward 4 by-election, Wandisile Ngeyi, 48, on the campaign trail in Milnerton.
Ward 4 includes Phoenix, Milnerton Ridge, Royal Ascot, Joe Slovo Park, Sunset Beach, Summer Greens, Montague Gardens, parts of Marconi Beam and parts of Milnerton.
The by-election comes after the removal of the DA’s Tando Jafta who was suspended following complaints about his unavailability after serving about four months (“Ward 4 DA councillor suspended from caucus”, Tabletalk, December 7 2016). Ms Zille and Mr Ngeyi were seen talking and taking pictures with people at the Paddocks shopping centre in Milnerton.
Although the DA is trying hard to rectify the disappointing performance by its previous councillor, residents living in Ward 4 are scrutinising the party’s latest candidate to ensure history does not repeat itself.
On the Table View Frustrated Residents’ and Ratepayers’ Association Facebook page, Carlo Viljoen, a member of the Cape Party, posted a list of questions to Mr Ngeyi so that the constituency “know who they are voting for”.
Some of the 13 questions included where Mr Ngeyi lives, what his experiences as a councillor were, what his policy on black economic empowerment was and what qualified him to represent the best interest of his constituency.
Mr Ngeyi’s Facebook account says it was created this month and only has two pictures on its timeline. The DA office has, however, confirmed that Mr Ngeyi resides in Bothasig.
The ACDP has also come to the table with their candidate nomination. Nomaxhosa Mejeni, 42, is a married mother of two, residing in Milnerton.
“I am very honoured to be the ACDP candidate for Ward 4 councillor. I am a church-going person and I believe in helping others. Helping the community is something I love. I think the fact that I live in the area is important. I believe that a councillor has to be accessible to the people and I would like to be a hands on councillor,” Ms Mejeni told Tabletalk.
The EFF has also announced its candidate at a meeting in Joe Slovo over the weekend. Siyabulela Mani from Joe Slovo was selected as the party candidate.
The ANC candidate for the by-election is Joe Slovo community leader, Luthando Lekevana.
The Cape Party is also in contention and they have nominated Jack Miller as their candidate.
Reverend Courtney Sampson, spokesperson for the Independent Electoral Commission in the Western Cape, said the nominations for ward candidates closed on Monday June 10 but it could not avail the final list of candidates as they were still finalising paperwork.
The Ward 4 by-election takes place on Wednesday August 2 and voting for registered voters will take place at voting stations at Milnerton High School, Summer Greens Hall and Sinenjongo High School.
