By-elections 2020: Voting gets underway in eThekwini
Candidates for the ANC and DA say they hope their hard work pays off in today's by-elections in eThekwini's Ward 32.
About 17 000 people from Clairwood and Albert Park among other areas are expected to cast their ballots at voting stations in Durban.
The ANC-led ward was left without a councillor, following a resignation and it's understood the community didn't accept the appointment of an interim councillor.
There's been a host of service delivery issues there and crime remains a significant concern. The DA's Sharmaine Sewshanker, the ward's PR councillor is contesting the polls.
She says the badly-deteriorated roads in Clairwood, due to the high volume of heavy-duty trucks need attention.
There's also a lack of funding for infrastructure.
READ: Three arrested after body of missing Scottsburgh man found
"We have major traffic jams, When it's raining there are pools of water, the drains can't cope and then the sewer starts overflowing. Clairwood has deteriorated over the years."
Meanwhile, the ANC's Portas Ngonyama says the party is aware of the issues and are trying to rectify them.
"We need to deal with the crime decisively and also deal with the issue of refuse collection. There is no cleaning in this area. We have been complaining for more than 5 months.
He says the lockdown had put a stop to the by-election which was supposed to take place, earlier this year.
By-elections are being held countrywide, with 12 wards in KZN holding Covid-19 safe polls.
Some of the voters who can't make it today but have applied for special votes have cast their ballots yesterday
IEC officials at the stations in Ward 36 say while it has been quiet yesterday - they are ready for larger volumes of voters today.
They say strict Covid-19 safety protocols are being adhered to, including the compulsory wearing of masks by voters and officials, applying hand sanitiser; and observing 1.5-metre social distancing.
Those planning to make their mark have to bring their own pens.
When we stopped at another voting station at around noon - an official said not a single voter had come through yet.
But she said her colleagues had been to several homes to help voters who are immobile and those with medical conditions to vote.
