Benoni electioneering gets dirty as councillor targeted in sticker campaign

As the local government elections approach, tensions are rising in Benoni's Farrarmere suburb. A campaign targeting Ward 28 councillor Mary Goby has taken an aggressive turn, with stickers plastered onto road signs across several intersections. These stickers bear slogans demanding her removal, such as "#MaryMustGo" and "Farrarmere, Time To Fire Mary Goby". Goby is not a stranger to such hostile campaigning - it's the second time she's faced this kind of attack from political opponents.

According to Goby, such tactics are undermining the very essence of democracy by turning the election into a matter of damaging public property instead of focusing on positive contributions should she be elected. She emphasized that while she welcomes political discourse and criticism, defacing public infrastructure is completely unacceptable and illegal under the National Road Traffic Act.

This law prohibits the damaging or altering of road traffic signs without proper authorization, and offenders could face fines, imprisonment, or both. The city also has its own rules against vandalizing road traffic signs.

Goby is urging any residents with CCTV footage or other evidence tied to the sticker campaign to come forward, stating that the authorities will investigate and take appropriate action. She also calls on her fellow candidates to respect the law during their campaigns, emphasizing that street signs and municipal infrastructure are public property, not campaign billboards.

Goby remains committed to facing voters on her record, acknowledging that her performance as a councillor is subject to political debate and the ballot box. She firmly states that no one should take the law into their own hands and vandalize the community they aim to represent.