Roodepoort residents attack councillor Keke Tabane over ten years of broken promises

Residents in Roodepoort, Johannesburg, have taken drastic action against their ANC ward councillor, Keke Tabane, for ward 127. Reports indicate that Councillor Tabane was physically assaulted by community members who are fed up with a decade of unfulfilled promises and a severe lack of service delivery. The community is demanding that the councillor step down from his position.

Key details of the incident

• Who: ANC ward councillor Keke Tabane (ward 127) was involved.
• What: Councillor Tabane was reportedly attacked by residents.
• Where: The incident took place in Roodepoort, Johannesburg.
• Why: The community is protesting a lack of service delivery and what they describe as “empty promises” made by the councillor over the past 10 years.
• Outcome demanded: Residents are calling for Councillor Tabane to resign.
• Source of information: The event was captured and shared on social media by PSAFLIVE. You can see the footage and read more about the incident here: PSAFLIVE Twitter post.

A community’s frustration boils over

For a decade, the residents of ward 127 in Roodepoort, Johannesburg, have been enduring what they perceive as neglect and a string of broken promises from their elected representative, ANC councillor Keke Tabane. This long-standing frustration has apparently reached a breaking point, leading to a physical confrontation where community members reportedly attacked the councillor. The core of the residents’ anger stems from a perceived lack of essential services and the continuous cycle of unfulfilled commitments, which have left the community struggling. In response to this ongoing dissatisfaction, the community is making a clear demand: that Councillor Tabane vacate his position as ward councillor.

Frequently asked questions

• What exactly is service delivery? Service delivery refers to the provision of essential public services by the government to its citizens. This can include things like reliable water and electricity supply, proper sanitation, waste removal, road maintenance, and access to public facilities like clinics and schools.
• Why are communities upset about empty promises? Empty promises from elected officials can lead to a loss of trust and can mean that important community needs are not being addressed. When people vote for a representative based on promises, they expect those promises to be kept, and when they aren’t, it feels like their concerns are being ignored.
• Is it acceptable for residents to physically attack a councillor? While the frustration of the community is understandable, resorting to physical violence is generally not considered an acceptable or legal way to address grievances. There are usually established channels for residents to voice their complaints and seek action, such as community meetings, petitions, or reporting issues to higher authorities.
• What can happen to a councillor who is not performing well? Depending on the severity of the issues and the relevant laws and party policies, a councillor who is not performing could face various consequences. These might include internal party disciplinary actions, public pressure leading to resignation, or in some cases, recall processes if they exist and are initiated.
• What does it mean for a community to want a councillor to step down? It means the residents have lost confidence in their elected representative’s ability to do their job effectively. They are formally asking the councillor to resign from their position, usually because they believe a change is needed to improve the situation in the community.
• Where can I find more news like this? For more stories and updates on local news and community affairs, you can visit cityofthohoyandou.co.za/category/news/.