Some residents of Dlamini section in Soweto on Monday barricaded roads in a service delivery demonstration meant to prevent voting from taking place. Some even marched to ANC headquarters, Luthuli House, to voice heir concerns.
Dlamini is among parts of the most populous parts of Soweto that have been without water and electricity for months. Soweto features a lot in the story of South Africa’s liberation, including hosting the 1955 People’s Assembly that adopted the Freedom Charter.
Over the years parts of what is South Africa’s biggest township have experienced water and electricity cuts and residents say they have had enough.
A 67-year-old voter from Dlamini who refused to be named said it was pointless to vote.
“It’s been two weeks without electricity and water and they tell us we must vote. There is nothing I’m voting for,” the pensioner said.
In Chiawelo where President Cyril Ramaphosa grew up, Xihluke Dileng, said she won’t vote because after the elections service delivery will still be non-existent.
“You see on Friday there were protests because there was no electricity and on Saturday it was returned until today, but once people are done voting it will be gone again,” she said.
She said Ramaphosa doesn’t care about his neighborhood that is suffering from a number of service delivery failures.
Johannesburg Mayor, Mpho Moerane, said the electricity problem was being addressed and encouraged people to vote.
“All roads which were blocked are all clear. I can safely say all voting stations in Johannesburg are open, even those two which didn’t have ballot papers are now open,” Moerane said.
