MEC Weziwe Thusi has very opportunistically planned an event at Ward 5 in Ntambanana where there will be a by-election tomorrow. According to official correspondence from her department, the event is “part of her Community Outreach linked to Men’s month”.
“At this event today, the MEC was handing out blankets and food parcels to the small group of people who were bussed in for the event. Although the event was organised for about 1 500 people, there were no more than 300 people present. This again is an example of how desperate the ANC is to win bi-elections. State funds were again abused by the MEC to buy votes for her party. This event will cost the Department of Social Development thousands of rand, much of which will be wasted because people did not turn up at the event,” said IFP Leader in the KZN Legilsature, Mr Blessed Gwala,MPL.
“The IFP does not object to people receiving blanket, food parcels and other social services, but this must be part of an ongoing service delivery programme that the Department makes people aware of in its Annual Programme of Activity. This should not be something that happens opportunistically whenever there is going to be a by-election. It has become blatant for all to see how the ANC, out of desperation abuses state funds for political ends. Voters will no longer allow themselves to be baited with once-off hand-outs in return for their votes. If the ANC is confident about its popularity, it should campaign with all political parties on equal terms and not resort to abusing state funds to achieve its political ambitions’” concluded Mr Gwala.
Issued by:
Mr Blessed Gwala, IFP Leader in the KZN Legislature, 078 290 5842
For Media Enquiries:
IFP Media Liaison Officer, Mr Phendulani Biyase, 073 024 5675