Johannesburg -
Residents of Soshanguve, near Pretoria, appealed on Friday to African National Congress president Jacob Zuma to assist them in fixing their leaking roofs.
He was doing door-to-door campaigning in Soshanguve's Block K.
Zuma was greeted by hundreds of supporters singing and chanting.
Mavies Magopya, 68, told Zuma of the problems she encountered when it rained.
“I told him that my house is leaking. When it rains, I'm forced to sleep with my grandchildren in one room,” she said.
Zuma promised that he would fix her roof.
Johannes Maredi broke down into tears when he explained the fears of the storm that wrecked havoc in 2013.
“Every time we see rain clouds we get scared that our windows and roofs are going to break like last year,” he said.
“We have to use buckets to ensure our belongings don't get wet,” he said. Zuma comforted him and promised that within seven days residents would be assisted.
Earlier in the morning, a group of angry residents of Soshanguve Block G hoisted banners and posters high into the air to express dissatisfaction with their local councillor. As an African National Congress convoy, including President Jacob Zuma, passed by, they started singing and dancing.
The placards read: “Dolly is corrupt”, “please Msholozi help us, councillor Dolly Ledwaba must go. She is abusive, does not respect the elderly.”
Residents accused the councillor of not doing anything to assist those with problems. “When we told her we did not have water, she told us she is not the office and does not open taps,” said one resident.
Dimakatso Mogotsi said the councillor removed those she did not agree with from the local ANC branch.
“She calls the branch her ANC. If you don't agree with her, she removes you,” she said.
Mogotsi said they had tried on numerous occasions to address the matter with ANC regional chair and Tshwane mayor Kgosientso Ramokgopa but nothing had been done. - Sapa