Angry over lack of service delivery, Refilwe residents threaten to boycott elections
The Pretoria East community has grown frustrated by what residents have termed as the government's reluctance to address their water and electricity woes.
Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) officials put up an official banner outside the City Hall voting station during the second and last nationwide voter registration campaign ahead of the 2024 South African general elections in Durban on February 03, 2024. Picture: RAJESH JANTILAL / AFP
PRETORIA - Angry Refilwe residents in Tshwane who've had no electricity for nine years have threatened to boycott the upcoming elections, citing government's failure to deliver basic services.
The Pretoria East community has grown frustrated by what residents have termed as the government's reluctance to address their water and electricity woes.
Residents at extensions 7 and 9 in Refilwe have taken their concerns to the streets multiple times since 2016 but say all they received was empty promises.
While South Africa observes 30 years of a democratic government, Refilwe residents see no need to celebrate as they continue to live in darkness and with dry taps.
Community leader, Naniki Khanya, said that the majority of people in Refilwe didn't even bother to register to vote when the IEC led its registration drive earlier this month.
"We stated very clearly that we are not going to vote. We don't know which door to open in order for us to cry so that somebody can listen."
She said that government programmed people to raise their concerns by burning tyres and blocking roads.
"It's really bad that every time we need to resolve matters we go to the road and block the road. Remember, if a person is blocking the road, it means they're seeking their attention."
Though the City of Tshwane is yet to respond to Eyewitness News' inquiry, Refilwe residents have lost all hope.