Dirty votes comment: Nomvula's out of touch

Premier Nomvula Mokonyane's "I don't want your dirty votes" rebuke of the Bekkersdal community yesterday shows government's arrogance towards Gauteng residents demanding basic service delivery.

Nomvula seems to have lost touch with why she was elected in the first place. 

There are genuine grievances in Bekkersdal and Nomvula seems to have forgotten that she is ultimately responsible for delivery to that community.

The Premier should retract her comments and apologise to the community for her arrogance.

When residents take to the streets they are told their votes are dirty. When we say we don't want e-tolls we are told to buy an e-tag and pay up. And when we talk about the need for more jobs in Gauteng the silence from government is deafening.

The people of Gauteng must take note of the arrogance of this government and demonstrate next year that the real power to bring change lies at the ballot box.

I am running for Premier because I believe that we can elect a government in Gauteng that delivers jobs, services and does not tolerate corruption.

Statement issued by Mmusi Maimane, DA National Spokesperson, October 26 2013

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