It is true that prior to the local government elections in 2016, many of us were convinced that governing through the formation of coalitions at national, provincial and local government level was the most appropriate model of governance for our beloved country.
As a matter of fact, many of us were prepared for this new partnership experiment through coalitions based on the fact that we have, over the years, witnessed excessive abuse of power by the governing party in some areas. We agreed that the country was in desperate need of strong opposition parties represented in Parliament, provincial legislatures and councils, but also needed a governance model that would ensure there was broader consultation through the establishment of coalitions in areas where there were no outright winners at national, provincial and local level.
However, the theatrics we have seen thus far by parties represented at the Nelson Mandela Bay, Tshwane, Johannesburg, Metsimaholo, Mogale City municipalities and others since 2016 local government elections calls for the immediate review of our flawed electoral system and the coalition arrangements. Although the electoral system at municipal level is a mixture of proportional and ward representation, political parties are still abusing the system and voters are merely used as pawns.
The fact that the current system does not allow voters to hold elected representatives accountable speaks volumes on the level of abuse meted out by party leaders against voters.
It is unfair that voters have to wait for the elected political party representative’s term in office to end before they get another opportunity to exercise their powers. It is quite disheartening that, in a country that brags about having the best constitution in the world, the voices of the voters are limited to the five-year electoral cycle jamboree, except for their participation in other insignificant sideshows in-between elections, such as imbizos and public hearings.
It is for this reason that some of us believe that the relevant electoral act and regulations be amended to introduce an election run-off in all areas where there are no outright winners. It is important for voters to become the “kingmakers” in the electoral politics and not the political party bosses.
In our reformed electoral politics, which should include moving towards a more open and transparent constituency-based electoral system, voters must hold the power.
The political parties currently involved in coalitions arrangements at local level have thus far not even bothered to consult the residents in affected areas. Decisions have always been about political party leaders, not about the people they claim to represent.
* Lesego Sechaba Mogotsi, Azapo.
** The views expressed here are not necessarily those of Independent Media.