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The ANC has dared alliance partner SACP to provide evidence of vote rigging in Metsimaholo, where the two allies are going head to head at the ballot box.
The ANC called on the SACP to present evidence to substantiate claims made by its first deputy president Solly Mapaila.
Mapaila questioned the free and fairness of these elections, saying that the SACP had observed the ANC bussing in people from outside of the area to come and vote.
He also questioned a large number of special votes which had been applied for, saying there was more than 5000, a staggering figure.
“Like all other parties contesting the by-elections, the ANC is represented in the political liaison committee, which meets on a daily basis to ensure credible, free and fair elections,” a statement issued by the party reads.
“Following a liaison committee meeting this morning, we have received a report that no party lodged a complaint on irregularities of the voters roll and bussing in of people or voters. To this end, the ANC demands irrefutable evidence on the allegations made and that such evidence should be brought to the meeting of the committee in Sasolburg today.”
The SACP made the decision to contest elections in the embattled municipality at the eleventh hour, pitting itself against its alliance partner. This followed a resolution by the SACP’s conference in July that the party should contest elections.
The SACP contesting elections has long been viewed as an empty threat arising from tension in its relationship with the ANC who leads the alliance.
City Press reported this past Sunday that the SACP had ruled out a coalition with the ANC.
Read: SACP vs ANC: The battle is on
Mapaila said that the party had displayed a great deal of, “arrogance”, causing people, particularly in Metsimaholo, to reject the governing party.
Mapaila reiterated that statement this morning, saying that once the results awere out they would take them back to the community to decide who the SACP should go into a coalition with. He added that it was unlikely that the community would go for the ANC given how tarnished they had become in the area.
The SACP was fielding seven candidates – out of a total of 21 – who were not members of the party, but community members who were believed to have credibility in the communities.
Read: The SACP is contesting elections to ensure decent lives for our people
Meantime the ANC has called for a formal investigation into the allegations of vote rigging.
“After such submissions are made to the liaison committee, the ANC calls for a formal investigation by the Independent Electoral Commission into the allegations. We equally urge all contesting parties to refrain from making statements that falsely accuse other parties and that cannot be proved,” the ANC statement read.
Today’s by-election followed the collapse of the municipality after the Metsimaholo Civic Association mayor, appointed by a coalition made up of the EFF and the DA, defected to the ANC.
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