The political parties canvassing for the upcoming local government elections in Gauteng need not look any further for campaign issues than the flash floods which have devastated large chunks of the province's informal settlements.

Recent torrential rains have washed away countless homes in Kliptown and other parts of Soweto and left Alexandra on the brink of a natural disaster.

"The floods are the real test of community leadership. No amount of future electoral canvassing can compensate for the current inaction on the part of local government. The residents know this and on March 1st they will choose their councilors accordingly," said Gertrude Mzizi MPL, who leads the IFP caucus in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature.

Mzizi also said:

"The residents in the affected areas need to be reassured they are not facing the floods alone. Their councilors need to demonstrate how effectively they can help co-ordinate assistance.

"The incumbent and aspiring councilors need to show how much they care about the community they are meant to serve. The IFP will urge its councilors and candidates for councilors to show their worth in their communities."