Bheki Cele to visit Zandspruit community today following deadly mob attack The police minister s visit comes after a group of nine men were taken to a local sports ground earlier this week, where they were assaulted, doused with petrol, and had tyres placed over them before they were set alight. FILE: Police Minister Bheki Cele is expected to discuss some of the policing concerns in the Zandspruit community on Saturday, 22 May, in an effort to ensure residents don t resort to acts of vigilantism. Picture: Lizell Persens/Eyewitness News
3 hours ago
JOHANNESBURG – Police Minister Bheki Cele is on Saturday expected to visit the community of Zandspruit, following a mob attack incident in the Johannesburg township.
Declining support for DA in by-elections amid internal drama
21 May 2021 1:53 PM
Share This:
Eyewitness News reporter Tshidi Madia says the DA appears to be losing support in some wards amid factionalism within the party.
This week s by-elections have shown that the Democratic Alliance (DA) appears to be losing favour in some wards in Gauteng.
The DA retained six wards but lost four, two of which were lost to the Patriotic Alliance (PA) in Eldorado Park, Johannesburg, reports Eyewitness News journalist Tshidi Madia.
At the same time, the party has been dealing with factional battles, most recently highlighted by Phumzile van Damme s resignation as DA Member of Parliament (DA MP).
Mashaba says his decision was motivated by many Johannesburg residents who want to see him back.
“I have been under tremendous pressure in the last few months from people on the ground in the city of Johannesburg who have said Mashaba please stand,” he said.
After consultation with his team, Mashaba decided to opt back in. “Today I am putting my name forward to serve you, the residents of Johannesburg, once more,” Mashaba said. “And once you give me the mandate, I will resume the work of bringing real change to the people of Johannesburg.”
Mashaba said his party will not be contesting all 278 municipalities during the 27 October local government elections , rather it will focus on four metros, including Johannesburg. ActionSA has said it will be ready for the national and provincial elections in 2024.
Another set of by-elections are sending a clear warning to the Democratic Alliance (DA) ahead of the Local Municipal Elections of 2021. They lost another four wards across the country – with half of them being claimed by the Patriotic Alliance (PA) – a party lead by a reformed bank robber-turned-businessman, Gayton McKenzie.
DA stunned by Patriotic Alliance in Eldorado Park
These two results from Eldorado Park in Johannesburg have sounded the alarm for SA’s biggest opposition party. The PA saw their support skyrocket in wards 17 and 18, surging to twin victories in the neighbouring suburbs – and usurping the blues in the process. The DA appears to have shed around 10 000 votes in the region.