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Mangaung candidates criticise poor services before 4 November elections

Published

Party leaders and independent candidates in Mangaung, Free State, named a weak economy, crime, potholes and housing as key problems at a radio panel discussion on Wednesday. The local government elections take place on 4 November.

The panel discussion was hosted by the current affairs team of Lesedi FM. Candidates also raised the formalisation of informal settlements as a challenge in the metro.

Benjamin Leve of the Active African Christian United Movement spoke about substance abuse. He said there is a lack of action to eradicate it. He also said the church is a solution and not a problem, and that the movement is bringing godly governance.

Leve said: "We are contesting these elections for the first time."

Independent candidates said they want to be councillors who account for their performance rather than rely on promises.

Key facts

Who
Benjamin Leve (Candidate, Active African Christian United Movement, speaking at Lesedi FM panel); Lesedi FM (Radio station whose current affairs team hosted the panel discussion); Active African Christian United Movement (Political party contesting Mangaung local elections)
What
At a panel discussion hosted by Lesedi FM's current affairs team, party and independent candidates in Mangaung raised a struggling economy, crime, potholes, informal settlement formalisation and housing as challenges. Benjamin Leve of the Active African Christian United Movement highlighted substance abuse.
When
21 October 2026
Where
Mangaung, Free State
Status
Reported

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Voting in the 2026 Local Government Elections is under way at 23,696 stations, and the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) reported a smooth start on 4 November. Stations opened at 7am and close at 9pm, and by 10am preliminary figures showed 3,523,691 voters had cast ballots.

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