ANC RESPONDS TO DA ALLEGATIONS LEVELLED AT MAYOR CHRIS TAUTE

ANC Western Cape spokesperson Mandla Dlamini says: "The ANC - like all other political parties - enjoy good relations with all stakeholders, including business. During times of elections - like the upcoming local government polls - individuals and companies do contribute to the ANC campaign, as they would do the same to the DA and other political parties.

"There is nothing sinister in appealing to business for donation to an ANC election fund. In this instance, the DA, which also receives donations from individuals and business, only seeks to score cheap political points at all costs."

Translation of statement by Mayor Taute:

I hereby confirm that I, as ANC mayor of Hessequa Council, have dispatched a number of letters to businesses to ask for donations to my party, the ANC, for our local government elections campaign.

I deny the allegations the DA levels against me that I have unlawfully approached these companies for donations to our campaign. Just like the DA and other parties, I have approached private businesses for funding for our election campaign.

Every company is free to donate or not.

The MFMA (Municipal Finance Management Act) is very clear that no councillor may be involved in the award of tenders or contracts in any municipality. It is therefore unclear to me why the DA avers that I have approached companies illegally with this letter that they may or will not get contracts again, while I am in line with the relevant act at no stage involved with the award thereof.

Signed
C.P. Taute
ANC Executive Mayor of Hessequa

Statement issued by Mandla Dlamini, ANC Western Cape, January 41 2011

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