March 8, 2011. The votes scandal – which received coverage in The Mercury newspaper recently – concerning Umhlanga Ward 35, must be of interest to Umhlanga residents.
The paper claims that the ANC has targeted the ward, a DA stronghold, by offering incentives to voters from outside the area to fraudulently register to vote in Ward 35. The Municipal Elections will be held on May 18.
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Some of the rather alarming allegations include that supporters were bused in from areas such as Inanda and Umlazi, and told to register to vote supplying fictitious addresses. The people were then apparently promised work or houses in return for their votes. Other alleged promises included study bursaries. Similar reports of voter “fraud” have also come in from other parts of the city.
The much-anticipated Cornubia project, on the boundary of the Umhlanga area and in fairly close proximity to the Gateway centre, appears to be the development of choice for those offering these juicy sweeteners.
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According to the eThekwini Municipality website, work on the Cornubia development was to begin early this year. eThekwini Housing Committee Chairman, Councillor Nigel Gumede, said, “The aim is not just to deliver housing, but also primary and secondary economic opportunities.”
The project will eventually be home to some 200 000 people in 30 000 homes. “Tenders are out for the construction of the houses and infrastructure, and we would like to see small contractors being empowered, especially women,” said Gumede.
The first phase will include 5 000 housing units.