The actions of the ANC in the Free State, Northern Cape and Limpopo as reported in the media today, represents the logical and disastrous consequences of the ruling party's cadre deployment policy. The party comes first and the people a very distant second. This "higher law of the party" doctrine represents a fundamental assault on the Constitution and the principles of good governance.

By directing from Luthuli House that party insiders and cronies be placed in key positions within the organs of state, the ANC has shown yet again that it does not consider itself beholden to the distinction between party and state that is essential in any well functioning democracy. The reality is that the ANC believes in a closed patronage society, where one's access to opportunity is defined not by your ability, but by the strength of your ties to the governing party.

The ANC's fundamental lack of understanding of proper democratic principles is further evidenced by comments made by ANC Women's League president Angie Motshekga who is quoted in a Sunday publication as stating that it is in the interest of democracy to have a de facto one-party state.  Motshekga went even further, stating that the electorate does not have the "luxury" of removing the ANC from power should it not be satisfied with non-performance by government.

The desperate state of much of the state apparatus, especially at local government level can be directly traced back to the ANC enforcing its vision of a closed patronage society. A reply to a DA Parliamentary question has shown that:

• Only 18% of the total number of municipalities has received unqualified audit reports in the 2006/2007 financial year. This is fewer than one in five;
• The number of municipalities with qualified audit reports increased by 8 (from 60 to 68) in the same year. This means that a quarter of all municipalities' reports were qualified;
• While the number of municipalities with disclaimers (indicating the Auditor-General's inability to determine the accuracy of the municipality's financial records) decreased by 13 from 120 to 97 in the same financial year, this amounts to a third of municipalities receiving disclaimers;
• There was no decline in the number of municipalities with adverse opinions - which has remained the same at 22 since 2005.  

Corruption, inefficiency and overall decline can be the only logical result of putting friends and cronies in positions of authority.

Statement issued by Sandra Botha, MP, Democratic Alliance parliamentary leader, October 26 2008