STATE VEHICLES USED IN RUN-UP TO BY-ELECTIONS

The Inkatha Freedom Party is deeply concerned about the ongoing use of state resources by MECs in KwaZulu-Natal when campaigning during by-elections.

“During the run-up to the recent by-election held in Ulundi Ward 13 which we as the IFP won, we noticed that state vehicles were used to deliver food parcels to people in that ward on the day set aside for special votes. We have noted that state vehicles bearing state number plates and driven by state employees were used to campaign for the ANC. We have the registration numbers of those vehicles and will be raising this matter in the KZN Legislature," IFP National Chairman, Mr Blessed Gwala MPL.

As the IFP we have complained many times in the past about such abuse of state resources by the ANC during bi-elections but it continues to happen. It is unethical and unlawful for the ruling party to use tax payer’s money in an attempt to buy votes. Our people are not gullible and will not allow themselves to be influenced by once-off food parcels whenever there is a bi-election and promises of houses that will be built sometime in the future. We are raising this issue even though we won two of the wards in the recent by-elections and even took one away from the ANC because it is wrong for state resources to be used to campaign for any party," concluded Mr Gwala.

The IFP will not let this matter rest and will continue to challenge and question such unethical practices wherever they may occur.

Issued by Blessed Gwala, IFP National Chairperson, 6 October 2015