ANC IS SHOCKED AND DISGUSTED BY GENERAL BANTU HOLOMISA SECRET MEETING CLAIMS

The African National Congress (ANC) is shocked and disgusted by the ludicrous claims by the United Democratic Party (UDM) leader, General Bantu Holomisa, that the "ANC Secretary General, Gwede Mantashe, has had secret meeting with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC)".

We want to state it on record that the ANC has not met with any IEC Commissioner, staff member, or any person associated with the IEC in secret. We have certainly not held any meetings with Ms Dlakula, as General Holomisa insist.

The ANC is a registered political party in South Africa. We have permanent representatives who attend Party Liaison Committee (PLC) meetings at the IEC. However, the ANC would not hesitate to raise any matter with the IEC directly or at the PLC, if we had any concerns regarding the Independence of the IEC.

The ANC can confirm that we received a formal report from our representative on the PLC that the matter regarding the tensions within the IEC was raised at the PLC meeting of 26 July 2012, a meeting which the UDM representatives walked-out.

The PLC expressed support for the IEC and once more reaffirmed its commitment and the integrity of the institution.

 We believe that General Holomisa has through his actions demonstrated a behaviour that is against the Electoral Act and the spirit of good co-operation between political parties.

Statement issued by Jackson Mthembu. ANC national spokesperson, August 3 2012

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