By Jonk wa Mashamba
news@alexreporter.co.za
Prior to Ramaphosa’s arrival at the Alexandra Stadium parking lot on Monday 25 October 2021, disgruntled members of ward 108 carried placards and chanted that Deborah Francisco be removed.
“Cashile stole the vote. She must go. She must fall. Keith 175 votes, Cashile 63 votes,” read the posters carried by angry members of the ward.
Keith Nthile and Deborah Francisco made themselves available for ward 108 on September 12, 2021 following the withdrawal of Edward Ntimbane and Lerato Ndlovu.
Nthite came out with 175 votes, followed by Francisco on 63 votes. Tshepiso Gwagwa scored just 3 votes.
Keith was supposed to be the successful candidate for the disputed neighborhood. However, his name was not found on the electoral roll.
When president Cyril Ramaphosa was about to address the people, the disgruntled members continued to sing.
They also accused the Chairperson of the Committees, Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane of being in charge of the mess in ward 108.
They alleged Malobane rigged votes.
” Sizakele is behind this criminal element. Sizakele Nkosi new Mugabe must fall,” one placard reads.
However, Ramaphosa pledged to repair the disorder through the National Executive Committee (NEC).
“After elections, where there have been a mistake like ward 108, we are going to investigate, fix the problem. That person will be removed, she likes it or not. If it is found she was not elected properly, she will be removed because the NEC would have decided,” said Ramaphosa.
Ramaphosa indicated that the flop to choose the unsuccessful candidate was associated with the present system used by the ruling party.
” This is a new system. It didn’t work perfectly all over the country. But in many places it worked perfectly.
” Where it didn’t work properly, like here in ward 108, Ekurhuleni, Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga, the NEC has discussed this matter and decided that we won’t change it.
” But we must go to the election. I ask members and supporters to vote even for those who are not wanted at the moment.”
He said after the elections, when the ANC has won, the mistake would be fixed.
” A mistake has been made, but like disciplined members of the ANC who follow the ANC constitution, principles and protocol, we will work in the way that is decided by the NEC.”
