A by-election to choose a new councillor for Ward 56 will be held in the new year.
This follows the resignation of Helen Jacobs on Monday 14 November.
Ward 56 includes the Kensington, Factreton and Maitland areas.
Jacobs has worked as a councillor for the ward since 2016. Her departure means that the office is now vacant.
Christopher Fry, Democratic Alliance (DA) Ithemba Constituency Head, says Jacobs resigned with immediate effect for personal reasons.
“We thank her for her work as ward councillor.”
According to Fry, a by-election is set to take place in the new year. However, no exact date has been set aside.
“We understand that the IEC (Independent Electoral Commission) has contacted the various Voting District venues to inform them that the by-election will take place in 2023. We are in the process of confirming this, and we will relay the information as soon as we receive it”.
Fry says in the meantime, councillors Ashwin Jansen and Xanthea Limberg will be handling all the service delivery issues in the affected areas.
“We will continue to keep the community briefed on developments and the selection of a candidate for the by-election.”
Jacobs confirmed her resignation to People’s Post, adding it is “for personal reasons”.
She added: “Thank you everyone for the support over the years.”
Ratepayers associations in the area had mixed emotions about Jacobs’ resignation.
Leslie Swartz, Kensington Factreton Residents and Ratepayers Association (KFRRA) chair, says they learned about Jacobs’ resignation via social media.
“We are saddened to have learned through a social media WhatsApp notice prior to the DA political party and local DA branch putting out an official public notice.
“This, unfortunately, necessitated immediate reactions from the ward councillor herself and sub-council 15 officials to confirm this social media post.”
Swartz says the incumbent should be someone who puts the community’s well-being first.
“The treating of individuals in a dignified way is paramount and entrenched in the Bill of Rights. We have known Helen Jacobs as a community stalwart long before she took up the position as ward councillor in 2016 and the well-being of our community has always been at the heart of her concern. Citing her reasons for resignation as personal it is quite understandable given the overwhelming challenges community leaders face in this modern day.”
He adds: “Our association is mindful of the insurmountable challenges that repeatedly plague our community, but we remain committed to working with the office of the Ward 56 councillor and other key stakeholders in our pursuit for an improved and safe community.”
John Weeder, a committee member of the Maitland Ratepayers and Residents Association (MRRA), says: “As a ratepayer in Maitland I am glad she resigned because she was not contributing positively to our area. For too long has Maitland been the stepchild. The Maitland area was totally overlooked despite being part of Ward 56. The councillor never had report-back meetings about issues that were raised.”
He says the community learned about the councillor’s resignation via social media.
“The community was not informed. We heard via a message from another WhatsApp group, proving the disregard she had for the community she served.”
He says Jacobs’ successor should be “committed”.
“We need a committed, dedicated ward councillor who can look after the interest of all areas in the ward. When we have issues, to respond quickly.
“A people’s person who interacts with the community.”
