The ANC in Tshwane has found itself embroiled in controversy after allegations surfaced that its members were caught removing EFF election campaign posters in Atteridgeville.
The regional party secretary, George Matjila, has strongly denied these claims and criticized the EFF regional chairperson, Obakeng Ramabodu, for implicating ANC members in the incident.
In a media statement, Matjila expressed his disappointment with Ramabodu’s “unfounded allegations in the media that two members of the ANC were apprehended by the EFF local structures in Atteridgeville, removing EFF election posters.”
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He emphasized that the ANC is a signatory to the IEC code of conduct for political parties and is committed to adhering to its principles.
“We would like to state up front that the ANC is a signatory to the IEC Code of Conduct for political parties during this election and is bound by the code,” he said.
Matjila clarified that during election campaigns, the ANC deploys members and volunteers who may not necessarily be party members. In this particular case, he confirmed that the individuals apprehended for poster removal were neither ANC members nor volunteers.
“In this case, we can confirm without a doubt that both apprehended individuals are not members of the ANC and/or volunteers of the ANC,” he said.
He suggested that the motive behind the incident may have been the monetary value of correx boards, which are highly sought after in the waste management and recycling industry.
Matjila said: “The ANC Greater Tshwane Region has also suffered a similar setback where its posters have been removed and sold to the buy-back centre, like other political parties.”
The ANC’s preliminary investigation revealed that their posters had also been removed and sold to buy-back centres, similar to what happened with other political parties. This incident highlights a setback for the ANC in the greater Tshwane region.
However, the EFF released a media statement condemning the “cowardly and undemocratic removal of EFF posters by detractors who seek to undermine our movement.”
According to the EFF, its members caught the two individuals in the act of removing their posters and handed them over to the police. A case has been opened against the pair, and they are currently detained at a local police station.
The EFF believes that such acts are attempts to stifle the voice of the people and suppress their message of economic freedom and social justice.
They view these incidents as a testament to the fear instilled in their detractors by the growing influence of the EFF and the threat it poses to their vested interests.
The IEC code of conduct for political parties plays a crucial role in ensuring fair and ethical election campaigns. It sets guidelines for the behaviour of political parties and their members, aiming to promote transparency, accountability, and respect for democratic processes.
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