ANC says Joburg vote rigging claims ‘extremely serious’
The ANC says it won’t hesitate to institute criminal charges should evidence emerge of vote rigging during the party’s Joburg regional conference in December.
This comes after ballots used in the conference, which saw Loyiso Masuku narrowly beat Dada Morero as the party’s regional chairperson, were found at the home of a service provider in Pretoria on Sunday.
The ballots were meant to be kept safe and sealed and returned to the ANC.
The visit followed an internal investigation launched by the Office of Secretary General Fikile Mbalula, which reported the matter to the South African Police Service.
ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu said an investigation by the office of Secretary General Fikile Mbalula confirmed prima facie misconduct.
“The ANC regards these allegations as extremely serious,” she said.
“If proven, they would have the effect of bringing the ANC into disrepute and drawing into question the credibility and integrity of internal ANC electoral processes. This would call for disciplinary action and, possibly also, the institution of criminal charges.”
Bhengu vowed that the party would ensure “that no stone is left unturned to uncover any wrongdoing and ensure full accountability in this matter.”
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In a statement on Monday evening, ANC regional secretary for the Greater Johannesburg region, Sasabona Manganye, strongly denied claims of vote rigging.
Manganye labelled the conference’s election process as inclusive, credible, and constitutionally sound.
“The (ANC) Secretary General Fikile Mbalula, through the provincial coordinator Comrade Hope Papo, confirmed that all matters relating to the 16th regional conference will be processed and finalised by the Electoral Commission.
“The REC cautions against any attempt to delegitimise constitutional outcomes.”
