Johannesburg was sparked off by a ward demarcation that would favour the ANC in winning a seat currently held by the IFP.
The hostels are currently in Ward 65 which is represented by an IFP Councillor.
Moving them to Ward 118 which is now held by the DA makes no sense from a geographical point of view as the new ward is strangely shaped and bisected by a railway line.
It looks like an attempt to gerrymander the wards so that the ANC can win Ward 65.
The DA is likely to retain Ward 118 as we had a strong majority there in the last elections, and a largely ANC-supporting area (Malvern) was taken out and put into Ward 65, making it even more likely that the ANC will win that ward instead of the IFP.
I visited the area today and I deplore the violence by hostel residents who burnt vehicles and blocked roads. This is not an acceptable way to protest the demarcation.
It does appear, however, that there was inadequate consultation and this needs to be rectified so that there is fairness in the ward demarcation.
Media enquiries:
Jack Bloom MPL
DA Johannesburg East Constituency Head
082 333 4222