DA's abuse of state resources slammed
The ANC calls on premier Helen Zille to publicly apologise for abusing state resources by using the spokesperson in the premier's office to speak on behalf of the DA on pure operational matters of that party.
The ANC denounces this abuse of government officials to speak on clear party political matters.
The DA has blurred the lines between party and state in both the DA led Western Cape provincial government and the City of Cape Town.
Two of the serial offenders are Zak Mbhele (in the office of the premier) and Bronagh Casey (in the office of the education MEC).
In the latest incident Mbhele blatantly on national Afrikaans radio station RSG shortly after 1 pm in the programme Spektrum commented on the DA's latest television advertisement and clearly spoke on behalf of the party and its leader rather than the premier.
Mbhele threatened that an interdict will be sought to force the SABC to broadcast the said party commercial.
This is a clear infringement as Mbhele is in the employ of the state and paid to speak on behalf of the premier. Not the party or its leader when it is on clear party issues.
In the ANC's experience Mbhele has been playing a party political role and this was proved in the fact that he is also on the DA's lists for the next week's election.
But, as the pressure on the DA is mounting due to dwindling support and it is becoming more desperate to cling on to power in the province, Mbhele has more openly come out to attack opponents of his party, especially the ANC.
If it was the ANC that did this, the DA and the media would shout about this travesty from the mountain tops. But, it is a matter on which Zille cannot continue to be silent. Mbhele reports directly to Zille and she is accountable for the gross abuse of state funds in this regard.
The ANC will also consult with its legal team to report this breach of conduct to the relevant authorities possibly including the Public Service Commission.
The ANC calls on the voters of the Western Cape to show their disgust about this flagrant abuse of taxpayer money when they vote against the DA on next Wednesday.
The ANC says it is time for change in the Western Cape and that residents should vote ANC. Together we take South Africa forward to make it a better place for all. The DA takes us back to dark and apartheid days!
Statement issued by Cobus Grobler, ANC Western Cape, May 1 2014
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