Bonteheuwel residents fed-up with “empty elections promises” made good on their promise on Wednesday by spoiling their ballot papers.

Residents last week responded to community activist Judith Kennedy’s call on Facebook, #IamSpoilingMyBallotWithMyBlood, saying they will also not vote for any party.

On Wednesday, Kennedy and other members of the Bonteheuwel Joint Peace Forum spoiled their ballots by marking it in red ink.

Only black ink is allowed to be used on ballot papers.

Kennedy told Independent Media: “The only way to make people see you, is to make them see you.”

Residents say not enough was being done to tackle gangsterism and crime in their community.

In the latest incident on Tuesday night, a 15-year old boy was shot and killed in a gang-related incident.

A month ago, train driver Piet Botha was shot and killed and robbed of his bag at Netreg Station.

#IamSpoilingMyBallotWithMyBlood was first posted by Kennedy and fellow community worker Henrietta Abrahams.

Kennedy said: “The support I have received within our NGO and from the community at large is overwhelming. It’s not just me who knows we have been abandoned to violence, gangs and death.

“People realise none of the authorities are doing anything to help save our children from being killed or listening to our pleas for decent services. No more. I will not vote as long as our people are ignored.”

Reporting by Saafia February

[Source: Elections Bureau]