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A group of independent candidates and community structures in Standerton, Mpumalanga, have banded together to form a new civic organisation to "rescue" the area via the upcoming municipal elections.
The group is made of Lekwa Community Forum and some independent councillors who say they are tired of empty promises by political parties to bring change in their lives.
Ronald Tsotetsi of Lekwa Community Forum, which has been staging marches against the collapse of service delivery in the area said he and other candidates decided to stand and represent their wards and community.
Tsotetsi 35, who was born in Standerton said they have been failed by political parties including the ANC which had been at the helm of the trouble-torn municipality for two decades.
Tsotetsi said he decided to be a candidate because he realised that the municipality did not put the needs of residents first.
"We are never engaged [in Lekwa affairs]; instead they prioritise comrades and forget about placing skilled people who can be able to manage the town," he said.
Tsotetsi said many businesses in Standerton have been forced to close because of the poorly run municipality was run.
"We as residents don't have functional meter boxes and that is a big challenge because the billing system is faulty. As result, we have all been overbilled by the municipality. Residents have abandoned paying rates and taxes because it is pointless," he said.
"No one can account for these because funds have been looted for years [without consequences]."
The new civic front will contest 14 wards in Lekwa municipality.
"We need to look into having the whole leadership changed completely. We need to also see arrests and manifestos that will work in our favour as residents and citizens of South Africa."
Tsotetsi said they have engaged and campaigned with residents who have share in their frustrations about poor service delivery and the collapse of the municipality.
"We love our town and want to see its economy going back to normal."
Louis Thabethe, a candidate said Lekwa community forum is a party by residents for the residents.
"We are hands on residents that have taken it upon ourselves to challenge these existing but non productive parties. The ANC, the DA the EFF have repeatedly fought over positions and getting fat salaries forgetting to serve the people they are meant to represent," he said.
"We have burning issues of service delivery. Youth unemployment and a collapsed municipality. The municipality has no empowerment for the youth."
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