Candidates lists their ward priorities

• Author: Fouzia Van der Fort fouzia.vanderfort@inl.co.za
• Published date: 20 October 2021
• Publication title: Plainsman

They agreed that communities need to be educated on the City of Cape Town’s budget, policies and the rules of engagement.

They also agreed that constituents should hold those voted into council accountable by reporting them to the speaker and be part of ward committees.

Regarding municipal accounts Michael Jacobs, ANC councillor candidate for Ward 75 (Colorado Park, Morgen’s Village, Westgate, Wildwood, Rondevlei Park, Woodlands, Weltevreden Valley – Philippi, Highlands Village, Hyde Park, Westgate and New Woodlands), said residents cannot afford the City of Cape Town’s 13.4% increase in electricity, and exorbitant water bills which show they are in debt and are unable to put food on their tables.

“As the ANC we cannot allow our people’s voices to be drowned, not being heard and their lives being irrevocably changed through these – the 2021 budget is unaffordable and not sustainable,” he said.

Pastor Franklin Williams, ANC councillor candidate for Ward 81, said indigent applicants according to the documentation submitted, do not have money, but they are required to pay an amount to have water reconnected in the case of disconnection.

Paul Daniels, Good councillor candidate for Ward 82 (Tafelsig), earlier this month roped in Good mayoral candidate, Brett Heron, to help stay the execution of a warrant to have a Tafelsig’s pensioner’s furniture removed because his water bill was in arrears.

Good councillor candidate for Ward 81 (Rocklands and Westridge), Colleen Patton, said Rocklands residents were battling to keep up with their water bills.

“It is a huge problem. There are high unemployment rates in Rocklands. People are unable to cover their bills,” she said.

Ms Patton said pensioners have to buy R50 electricity every day because their water bills are in arrears and they cannot afford the maximum amount of units.

Fellow party member, Saul Markgraff, the candidate for Ward 79 (Portland and parts of Rocklands), said something sustainable needed to be done.

He said youth were dropping out of school because their parents could not afford school fees or travelling costs to get them to places of learning.

“We need facilities and activities to occupy our youth walking around the community idly,” he said.

“If we teach them a skill and give them a hand up then maybe we can see a difference,” he said.

Outgoing Wolfgat Sub-council (Sub-council 12) chairman Solomon Philander, and DA councillor candidate for Ward 116 (Town Centre and Mitchell’s Plain industrial area...