(Photo by Gallo Images/Fani Mahuntsi)
Faizel Patel – 11/11/2020
As the Ward 9 elections kicks off in Lenasia, a resident says he will not be voting because nothing will change no matter who is elected as councillor.
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) says it is confident that Wednesday’s by-elections, the largest to be held on a single day will run smoothly.
Up to 40 political parties will participate in the elections, with a total of 444 candidates expected to contest various wards, including in Lenasia and Lenasia South,
Speaking to Radio Islam, this Lenasia resident says he will not be voting for any political party including the Democratic Alliance, Al Jama’ah, African National Congress, the Economic Freedom Fighter and independent candidates.
“There is no changes. All these years we’ve been voting and I don’t see no changes, so I don’t even know foe which party to vote. If I see changes in the future than maybe we’ll think of voting but not at the moment.”
Last Week during the social programme on Radio Islam, Jamiatul Ulama South Africa Secretary General Ml Ebrahim Bham said local government and ward elections are the closest level of governance to the people.
“It is to do with ‘bread and butter’ issues. It is to do with our street lighting, roads, the potholes on the roads, crime, safety and security, service delivery and governance that impacts directly upon our day to day issues.”
Ml Bham says while there is a degree of frustration among residents that their vote will not make a difference, not voting also will not create change.
“We are commanded by our shariah to do what is within our means. Allah in the Qur’an tells us: ‘do what is within your capacity, within in your own means and we go and we try to our utmost to go and vote with regard to those whom we feel will provide proper service delivery, who will have certain qualities.”
Ml Bham shared a beautiful statement of Imam Taymiyyaah (RA) when it comes governments.
“He has said, ‘Allah assists governments who are just even if they are non-Muslim and He does not help tyrannical governments, governments that are zaalim, which are oppressive even though they may be Muslims.’”
The polls are expected to close at 9pm.
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