parties," he told Xinhua.Speaking about the protests which delayed the opening of voting, he said communities understood they would be listened to if extreme measures were taken, Xinhua news agency reported.Several leaders from different political organizations voted earlier in their communities.President Cyril Ramaphosa voted at Hitekani Primary School in Chiawelo, Soweto, accompanied by first lady Tshepo Motsepe. "I'd like to suggest that municipal services are going to be done differently from now on," he spoke to media after voting. Ramaphosa also stressed the importance of improved communication between communities and elected officials.Former President Thabo Mbeki cast his ballot at Holy Family College in Johannesburg and hoped that other registered voters would also do the same."We all need our people to vote and express their views as to who they want to govern the municipalities," he said.Local government elections were expected to be highly competitive with several metropolises governed by coalitions.Monday's voting started at 7 a.m. and would continue until 9 p.m., local time.
--IANS int/khz/
(Disclaimer: This post has been auto published from IANS news agency without any modification to the text and has not been reviewed by editor)
