After almost six months without a councillor, Ward 110 will go to the polls in crucial by-elections set to pit former ANC councillor Bongumusa Dludla and the DA’s Aamir Abdul against each other tomorrow (Wednesday-19 May 2021). The ward is made up of Sunningdale, Glen Hills, Glen Anil, Mount Moria and Avoca Hills. Stations will open from 7am to 9pm in Sunningdale Park and Rinaldo Park.
The by-elections come as a result of Pete Graham leaving the DA after almost four years as the ward councillor to join Herman Mashaba’s ActionSA in November last year. They will be held under strict new Covid-19 protocols aimed at ensuring the safety of voters, election staff, party agents, observers and other stakeholders. Speaking to The Durban North News, Abdul encouraged the residents to come out in numbers to vote. “Over the past few months, the DA has worked tremendously hard to provide the residents of Ward 110 with the service delivery they deserve. I have personally travelled to every corner of Ward 110 meeting with residents about our ward and what needs to be done. “It has been an interesting and eye-opening journey that has really exposed the severe shortcomings of the ANC-run municipality. I am not afraid to get my hands dirty to clean up and fix Ward 110. If we work together we can turn things around,” he said.
The DA is set to be contesting against the ANC, EFF, IFP and Poll. ANC’s Dludla said the party would like to regain the ward. “We saw that the previous DA councillor failed dismally to address residents’ issues in these areas. I certainly feel comfortable that we will do well in Mount Moria, the Cricket Action Ground and Avoca Hills areas because our main vision is to build more houses such as the ones in Cornubia and two schools. We have also noticed that the DA has also failed to address the issues of people who reside in the Avoca Hills flats who have been evaded numerous times because it is said they are failing to pay their rent. We believe that we are a party that has the capacity to eradicate poverty and create more job opportunities for the underprivileged,” said Dludla. According to IEC spokesperson Kate Bapela, over 145 candidates from 29 political parties are set to contest the by-elections in 40 wards nationwide. “The 145 candidates, including eight independent candidates, were certified as contestants for the by-elections on 3 May. Of the candidates, 86 (59.31%) are male and 59 (40.69%) are female,” said Bapela. Voters, election staff and all those entering the voting station are urged to wear a mask at all times. “Voters are also encouraged to bring their own pens to mark their ballot papers, although pens will be provided and sanitised after each use,” added Bapela.
