Zuma sits quietly despite earlier warning that ANC would abuse a state event

Today, a serious violation of constitutional principles took place as a state function was deliberately turned into an ANC rally. There was nothing coincidental about the ANC's disgraceful disruption of today's launch of the Industrial Development Zone in Saldanha Bay.  It was clear yesterday that the ANC was planning to turn a state-funded event into a party political rally.  They had organised vehicles to bus people in from other areas and distributed ANC T-shirts.  

I contacted President Zuma yesterday and we spoke telephonically last night, when I warned him that this disruption and abuse was planned.  I told him I would not sit by and allow it to happen.  He said he was not aware of the planned disruption.  Yet when it took place today, the President sat and observed events unfolding without taking any action to stop the abuse.

I intend to report to the Public Protector the consistent abuse of state funding by the ANC to hold party political rallies at taxpayers' expense.  I have raised this abuse and corruption on several occasions with President Zuma and it makes no difference at all.  The ANC clearly has no respect for democracy, and has no sense of the separation between party and state.  It uses state funding as its private piggybank, and will continue doing so throughout the election, unless this abuse is stopped.

Statement issued by Western Cape Premier Helen Zille, October 31 2013

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