ANC scores with voter bribery and profiteering

The DA continues to receive reports about township residents being offered food vouchers in return for voting for the ANC. An official spokesperson has confirmed that R500 million is being used for this programme.

One aspect of this program which concerns us is that the vouchers are often only redeemable at one particular local shop. In the case of a form in the possession of the DA (see below), this is a local store on the West Rand. The store has produced a list of its prices for recipients of the vouchers. Comparing the prices to the same products sold through the Pick ‘n Pay online shopping website shows the local store is up to 40% more expensive, and generally over 30%. The chosen stores are therefore raking in vast profits at the state's expense.

The DA would like answers to a number of questions:

• How much money has been allocated to this programme in Gauteng .
• On what basis stores are chosen for the voucher programme and whether it will investigate the obvious profiteering in this case and whether any officials received kickbacks.
• Whether the Department of Social Development undertakes to fire any of its staff who tell recipients that the grant is in return for a vote for the ANC.
• In view of the refusal of officials to give grants to two white state pensioners, why the grants are racially based.

The DA will provide evidence of irregularities to the Department. The Department has a duty to ensure state money goes to those most in need and is not used for party political purposes. It should also ensure shops do not rip people off.

Statement issued by Rika Kruger MPL, Democratic Alliance Gauteng provincial spokesperson on social development, March 5 2009

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