EFF statement on baseless allegations suggesting KwaDukuza municipality funded transportation towards the EFF 10th Anniversary Rally
4 September 2023
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) rejects with contempt the spurious, baseless and unfounded reports which are contained in some news outlets, namely the City press, which seek to suggest that KwaDukuza Local Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal made monetary contributions to the transportation arrangements ahead of the EFF 10th Anniversary Rally at FNB Stadium.
According to these reports that are rooted in pure gossip mongering, the KwaDukuza Local Municipality contributed upwards of R400 000 for buses to transport people from the province to FNB stadium, a claim that is not worth the paper it is written on.
It is public knowledge that the EFF instructed its Public Representatives which includes Members of Parliament, Members of Provincial Legislatures and Councilors to organise transportation for their constituencies to attend the EFF 10th Anniversary Rally at FNB Stadium on the 29th of 2023.
This instruction was given to EFF Public Representatives to do so in their individual capacities, with respective targets relative to their geographical locations and the Offices they hold.
At no point did the EFF, in any capacity reach any deal with a municipality or municipality official to make any contributions towards the transportation of constituencies Of Public Representatives.
The claims contained in the so-called news reports, are nothing but a fabrication that emanates from the discontent and anger of the establishment of the success of the EFF 10th Anniversary Rally.
Further, the EFF's Secretary General has confirmed with the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Chief Operations Officer (COO) as well as the City Manager of KwaDukuza Municipality that no EFF structure or Public Representative approached them or the municipality for any monetary assistance.
They have also affirmed that no funds from the municipality were disbursed or allocated to support the EFF in any capacity concerning the EFF 10th Anniversary Rally.
The EFF wishes to remind the people of South Africa that we are in no coalition agreement with the ruling party in any Municipality, including KwaDukuza Municipality in KwaZulu Natal, and therefore, the nonsensical claim that a "deal" could be struck in exchange for the removal of a municipal Official is baseless and clumsy.
The EFF further reminds the public, especially the media that ought to retain its credibility regardless of whatever political vendettas they may hold, that municipal funds are regulated by the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) and audited by the Auditor General of South Africa.
It is therefore irresponsible and patently reckless, to report that municipal funds were utilised for political party purposes, on the basis of so-called WhatsApp messages and conversations, and not concrete financial statements or audited reports.
As we head to a crucial election in 2024, the media Ought to hold itself to a higher standard of scrutiny and avoid becoming party to the peddling of fake news and misinformation out of excitement and political vendettas.
This high level of joumalism can only be done through quality investigations based on credible and verifiable evidence, not purported conversations that can easily be manipulated and concocted.
Issued by Sinawo Thambo, National Spokesperson, EFF, 4 September 2023
