Massive ANC election bribery underway

 The ANC has responded to voter anger against its failure to deliver by launching a massive campaign of bribery across Gauteng . Under the guise of social relief payments, voters are being paid grants and told to vote for the ANC.

Payments labeled as "indigence grants" are being paid to both employed and unemployed people in several areas of the province. There appears to be no test as to who is eligible for the grants, apart from a racial one. Two white state pensioners in Mogale were sent away when they lined up for a grant while farm workers earning R2 000 per month received the R960 grant along with everybody else.

In Diepsloot unemployed people were given the full R960 while those who were employed were given R250. Several people were promised land and houses. In most instances those receiving grants were told by officials that in return they must vote for the ANC.

The DA is in favour of state grants. We are not in favour of grants handed out arbitrarily and with the clear stipulation that they are given in return for support for the ANC. It must be clearly understood that grants should be from the state because of need, not as a favour from the ruling party.

Grants should also be directed towards long-term independence and not given unrestrained by any long-term aim just before an election.

The ANC is favour of democracy only when it wins. When it is in trouble it is quite happy to bribe people with state money. Our advice to people is to take the grant, and then vote DA for a better future.

Statement issued by Rika Kruger MPL, Democratic Alliance Gauteng spokesperson on social development, March 4 2009

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