Ekurhuleni Electioneering Turns Ugly

0:00So Africans going to the polls in less than a month for the local government elections, what we've been speaking about for the last 10 minutes or so, we're time running out before the elections on the Fourth of November. Campaigning, as you can expect it as you have seen, billboard after billboard, light pole after light pole in, you know, on your commute to and fro from work at home. Campaigning is heating up. Police won, he couldn't let he won. The battle has moved onto the streets with a negative campaign targeting an incumbent counselor. Now, in Penoes, Farah Bias Suburb, a suburb against War 28 or other campaign rather, against War 28 counselor Mary Goby appeared on Tuesday, which stickers attacking her plastered onto road signs and several intersections. Well, you know what gets getting to the discretion, how can counselor Goby on alive moves? Good afternoon, counselor.

1:01Yes. Counselor, you can hear this. I can hear it. Yes, you're nice and clear. Thank you for your time, counselor. Good and clear. What was the message posted on the road signs? I mean, of course, you don't have to repeat them. But what were they insinuating and what was the purpose of this smear campaign against yourself? It was mere campaign to say I have to go and I must be fired by the residents of Farah Bias Suburb. Mm-hmm. And you know what comes in a minute, is this the first time that you have been targeted by political opponents? No, it's not the first time. It's been going on now for six years and the worst in the last six months. Hmm. Do you believe, I mean, what are the reasons for targeting you? I mean, did you have some interactive, negative interactions with some political opponents or people in the community that they are taking the time of day to behave in this way?

2:01I believe it could be, you know, some people are really jealous of some of the work that we do on the ground, especially with the other and just to counter with them, also the big person in charity. And I think just, you know, they're very scared and not happy with what the publicity algae is putting them out in all the time. So to me, it's just been very negative and not being very happy. But I'm not the only one going to the same time. They will appear to us, especially in the East, Rain, the Boxberg and the only EU that is really going through a hard time with campaigns like being charged with GBD, being charged with attacking and then all false times. And that's been trying to have that in court now because you can't keep making false times against people without the top of proof. And actually, my problem since now is that I need to get the proper proof. So it really is now in charge of going to your case number and then go around to local security companies and get footage from all these cameras that were put up close by us.

3:02So we can find out exactly who the perpetrators are. So I understand, of course, that's a difficult exercise to go sometimes to private people's properties and ask them for a recording of their CCTV, etc. But once that is done, I mean, what is the intention here, Councillor Mary? I mean, are you not going to press charges against them? Go the legal route? We're definitely all with Italy in the legal route. Italy, any fool, they probably was defaced. So they're all opening the case from that and mine is because they define me on these funds. So the moment we've got the case numbers, we will be working and going to these properties and asking for the VDR footage. And are you making an appeal, Councillor Mary, for those people who are on that particular route, whether these messages will put up to, well, make their time available for you? I'm positive they will. A lot of them know me and a lot of them said, you know, they can't give you anything

4:05without the case number due to the property act. But we will get the footage. I've really spoken to a few of them and a few security companies. So we are giving really frip, but I do agree with them. Copy act is very important. And so the minutes I've got the case numbers, steps will be contacting those people, I'll give in the details of those people to contact. Finally, Councillor Mary, I mean, of course, these people here, you know, behaving in such ways, also are a negative reflection on themselves, the way they're conducting themselves. I mean, you know, if you had to be placed in a room with them face to face, what would you be telling them, Councillor Mary? Well, I'll be telling you straight. This is a coward way of doing things. You know, if you got something going to me, rather come see me directly in this type of act and discuss it, don't go and make it all public. If you really want to make it public, go not to the case if I've done something wrong, that is really a thing to you. Because at the end of the day, I can't see we are a thing to anybody that badly that they want to do this, but there are some people in other political parties that aren't happy,

5:10and they want to have the seat, they want the title, and that's a major problem at the moment. They will do anything to see your name just so they can get what they're hoping they get in, but at this moment, they're actually getting a negative, because people are now sending up more for me for what I'm going to. I mean, I understand exactly what we, as Councillors are doing on the ground and how we get the tech permanently and positive elections are being continue to work. Councillor Mary Goby, thank you for your time this evening here and for highlighting, of course, not only the campaign, but the smear, the anti-s smear campaign that's been targeting yourself and a number of other Councillors and what helps with the best and all the power ahead, Councillor Mary. Thank you very much. Thank you, Alma. Thank you very much. Thank you for listening. I'll do appreciate you all.