THE Democratic Alliance in Mpumalanga has accused the ANC of using municipal property to distribute food parcels for its door-to-door campaign in Vakansiedorp, Hazyview, as the by-election race hots up.
Provincial leader Anthony Benadie said he and DA councillor Ken Robertson had spotted a municipal fire truck and a truck loaded with supplies parked outside Mthunzi Lodge, where the Mbombela mayoral committee, under the leadership of Cathy Dlamini, were at an imbizo since Friday.
He described this as a "desperate attempt to win back voters in the closely contested Ward 1 by-election".
The by-elections are due to be on Wednesday.
"On closer inspection and phone calls to sources in the municipality, it was established that the truck was indeed loaded with food parcels for later distribution, and that the fire truck would be used to flaunt the ANC's might and influence.
"It is laughable that the ANC thinks that votes would be won through the municipal resources to contest a by-election, when voters are already aware that these are funds meant for service delivery that are being wasted," said Benadie.
Mbombela municipality spokesman Joseph Ngala said the food parcels were from the mayor to disadvantaged communities "This cannot be construed as campaigning," he said.
- mashabas@sowetan.co.za
DA accuses the ANC of abusing municipal property
THE Democratic Alliance in Mpumalanga has accused the ANC of using municipal property to distribute food parcels for its door-to-door campaign in Vakansiedorp, Hazyview, as the by-election race hots up.
Provincial leader Anthony Benadie said he and DA councillor Ken Robertson had spotted a municipal fire truck and a truck loaded with supplies parked outside Mthunzi Lodge, where the Mbombela mayoral committee, under the leadership of Cathy Dlamini, were at an imbizo since Friday.
He described this as a "desperate attempt to win back voters in the closely contested Ward 1 by-election".
The by-elections are due to be on Wednesday.
"On closer inspection and phone calls to sources in the municipality, it was established that the truck was indeed loaded with food parcels for later distribution, and that the fire truck would be used to flaunt the ANC's might and influence.
"It is laughable that the ANC thinks that votes would be won through the municipal resources to contest a by-election, when voters are already aware that these are funds meant for service delivery that are being wasted," said Benadie.
Mbombela municipality spokesman Joseph Ngala said the food parcels were from the mayor to disadvantaged communities "This cannot be construed as campaigning," he said.
- mashabas@sowetan.co.za
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