Tlokwe: Minister's brazen abuse of office continues
Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini is ramping up the scandalous of abuse of public resources to campaign for the ANC ahead of the Tlokwe by-elections.
The DA has learnt that the Minister is planning a televised launch of a plan to pump 3000 - 5000 food parcels into the 9 by-election wards just 5 days before voting begins.
This must be one of the most brazen abuses of public money to campaign for the ANC we have seen in some time from a national Minister.
Prior the upcoming launch, Minister Dlamini has already -
- Used SASSA to employ 180 ANC Youth League members to do door-to-door canvassing for the ANC under the guise "profiling" poverty in the wards
- The DA is in receipt of food bills for these canvassers who were also accommodated at the state's expense
- Pumped over 300 food parcels from the Food Bank and 100 blankets into Tlokwe ward 9 prior to the previous by-election
- Held a televised launch of a previous "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
State resources are only pumped into wards to be contested in by-elections. Neighbouring wards with the same poverty and no election are being totally ignored.
The Minister is trying to justify blowing public money on the ANC's campaign by calling it a poverty relief intervention. This is indicative of the levels to which the ANC will stoop in their abuse of state resources for political gain.
The DA calls on the Minister to put an immediate end to the abuse of public resources. Poverty relief should be fair and equitable for everyone who is poor, not just for people due to vote in a by-election in a few days' time.
Statement issued by Chris Hattingh, DA Leader in the North West, September 7 2013
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