Even the informal settlements have running water, uninterrupted electricity and their own toilets
The ANC-run municipality refuses to accept blame, accusing some residents of paying for DStv, servicing clothing accounts and drinking expensive alcohol instead of paying their rates
Conditions in South Africa’s many informal settlements cause health and environmental problems too
The council doesn’t pay its bills, residents are subjected to electricity and water outages and the Vaal River is treated like a sewer but councillors get their salaries every month
In this week’s by-elections, the ANC has the highest number of wards being contested. However, the turnout in some communities in areas in the Vaal district has been low — even after the electoral commission said it was ready to welcome voters