President’s water project launch a ploy‚ says EFF

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) lambasted President Jacob Zuma’s official visit to Nelson Mandela Bay on Friday‚ claiming it was a ploy to campaign for next year’s local government elections.

EFF Eastern Cape spokeswoman Yoliswa Yako said the party would ask Zuma on Friday why he was coming to Zwide‚ which is right next to the ward the United Democratic Movement won in last week’s by-election.

Zuma is to launch a national initiative to deal with water losses.

“He is coming to the people of Zwide to talk about the opening and closing of taps‚” Yako said.

“Why is he coming to the most contested metro in the country on a project that could have been addressed by [Water and Sanitation] Minister Nomvula Mokonyane?”

Yako said EFF members would question Zuma when he arrived in the city.

Asked whether the municipality was prepared for any possible disruptions during Friday’s events‚ municipal spokesman Mthubanzi Mniki referred questions to the national government.

Government spokesman Mlimandlela Ndamase said there were security measures in place for all events that involved the president.