The constituents per given area should be afforded the democratic right to choose from among the representatives they voted into the council the candidates they see as fit to lead the pack. The system in place does not add any value to our politics nor to service delivery. It actually contributes to poor service delivery as the elected representatives spend time campaigning or de-campaigning one another in the council chamber instead of debating pertinent socio-economic issues for the betterment of their constituent's livelihood. What we see in our councils these days is stark naked factionalism in action.
Backbiting, witch hunting and plotting by rival factions in a given party or across the political divide is the order of the day. Each rival group has its own candidates and opportunistic followers and uses all political expediency to outwit the other.
The one who ends up being the victor out of this melee tries by all means to satisfy those who voted for him/her among his fellow councilors in preparation for the next Mayoral elections. The constituents come last in his/her daily plans. They are remembered towards the next general elections.
