Following fruitless talks and promises of better service by the Thulamela municipality, residents of Tshiema in Lwamondo have vowed not to register for the forthcoming general elections in 2014.

The community adds to the other disgruntled communities like Malamulele and Bekkersdal, who have decided to use their vote as a weapon to get the attention of the government.

Tshiema village, which has more than 100 households, is one of the most disadvantaged in Thulamela, with basics like water non-existent. Electricity is a luxury for them.

The local traditional leader in the area, Chief Nthsumiseni Nemukovhani, said they had outstanding issues with the municipality they want sorted out before they could even think of registering for the forthcoming elections. "We have waited for a long time for the electricity to be switched on after it was completed in 2012. We have been to all the offices you can talk of at Thulamela. We have tried everything in the book and we even presented our problem to the public protector, but in vain,” he added.

According to him, they do not have a constant supply of water and all the problems they are experiencing “leaves us with no option but to voice our frustrations in a very peaceful way, by not voting," he said.

Nemukovhani said they were tired of being used by politicians for their own selfish ends. "They only come to us when they need our votes, but soon after we vote them in, they disappear. As a community with all structures united, we thought this would open their ears and they would listen to us," added Nemukovhani.

The community of Mutshetoni, also in Lwamondo, have stayed away from registering for the elections. "We have nothing to gain from these elections. How can we vote for people who do not listen to the cries of the people? It is better not to be part of processes that benefit only a few," said Chief Tshisiwana Ndou, the local traditional leader.