DA reports Tlokwe buy-election to Public Protector 

The DA has written to the Public Protector, Thuli Madonsela, requesting that she investigate the distribution of food parcels in Tlkowe by the Minister of Social Development, Bathabile Dlamini. The DA has learnt that the Minister is planning a televised launch of a plan to pump over 3000 food parcels into the municipality today. 

The Minister's conduct is at the very least, unethical, and a violation of the Executive Ethics Code of Conduct.

Section 2 of the Code of Conduct requires Members of the Executive to perform their duties diligently, honestly, with integrity and good faith. 

The distribution of food parcels just before 9 by-elections can only be construed as the dishonest use of public office to further a party-political agenda.

If the Minister is indeed distributing food parcels in Tlokwe due to genuine service delivery concerns, where has she been the last coupe of years? Has she just awoken to the fact that the people of Tlokwe have suffered under ANC governance now that a by-election is around the corner?

The DA will request that the Public Protector investigate:

The employment of 180 ANC Youth League members by the South African Social Sercuity Agency (SASSA) to conduct door-to-door canvassing for the ANC under the guise of "profiling" poverty in the wards;

The use of state resources to secure and distribute food parcels and blankets ahead of the by-elections; and

The purchase of airtime for the televised launch of a "social relief" effort prior to the August by-election in which the Minister appeared at an ANC office, with the Mayor and ANC ward candidate.

When questioned about the exact date and criteria used to allocate the distribution of food parcels in Ward 9 on 6 and 7 August 2013 in Parliament this week, the Minister evaded the question.

We trust that the Public Protector will provide answers to these critical questions and the Minister will be held accountable for any wrongdoing. 

Statement issued by Mike Waters MP, DA Shadow Minister of Social Development, September 13 2013

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