Confident of Gauteng majority: ANC

The Gauteng ANC provincial executive committee remained confident that the ruling party would win the province with an overwhelming majority later this year, provincial secretary David Makhura said on Sunday.

"Reports designed to destabilise our campaign will not succeed," he said in a statement.

"As can be seen from this weekend's activities, ANC leaders and volunteers have stepped up direct interaction with communities in all the regions of Gauteng, and our people are continuing to express confidence in the ANC."

He dismissed a report in the City Press newspaper regarding polling in the province as a "complete fabrication".

"There was no research presented or discussed at our assembly. To set the record straight, the ANC is confident of victory in Gauteng, our track record speaks for itself, the province is a better place to live and work," said Makhura.

"The ANC is a movement that is committed towards improving the quality of life of all the people in Gauteng."

According to the report, the ANC's internal polling showed that the ruling party would win at most 45 percent in Gauteng, having won 64.4 percent of the vote in the 2009 elections.

Makhura said opposition parties were in disarray and lacked a proper election strategy, which shifted their focus onto the ANC.

"They are losing leaders and members to us continuously, and we look forward to welcoming more of their leaders into the ANC in the coming weeks," he said.

"Further, they continue to misinform the public on everything including e-tolls and other campaigns like billboards on highways about load shedding. Luckily the public can see through their tricks."

Makhura said the DA, as an example, had no original ideas about moving South Africa forward and had resorted to copying every aspect of the ANC's election campaign.

"They started by stealing our heroes, and our struggle history. They have now resorted to our ideas, our songs, our slogans and our message and manifesto that together we move South Africa forward," he said.

"The ANC campaign has now entered top gear in Gauteng, and our election machinery is everywhere engaging people and addressing concerns of South Africans. The people are responding positively everywhere."

Also on Sunday, senior ANC officials were campaigning in the Northern Cape.

Provincial secretary Zamani Saul said in a statement that the people again expressed confidence in the leadership of the ANC and would vote for the ruling party.

The officials included Gauteng premier Nomvula Mokonyane, deputy minister in the presidency Obed Bapela, Communications Minister Yunus Carrim, and Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga.

Others who also took part in campaigning were Home Affairs Minister Naledi Pandor, Health Minister Aaron Motswaledi, ANC treasurer Zweli Mkhize and Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula.

The delegation visited Pescodia, Squarehill Park, Ritchie, Galeshewe, Kuruman, Upington, Springbok, Port Nolloth, De Aar, Pampierstad, and Barkley West.

Saul said the ANC was warmly received because of the party's track record of service delivery.

This year's general elections are scheduled to take place on May 7.