ANC to examine R1m rally claim

2009-07-05 21:04

Durban - ANC leaders in KwaZulu-Natal said on Sunday that it would closely examine DA allegations that more than R1m of tax payers’ money was used for the ruling party’s election rally in Pietermaritzburg six months ago.

"We will examine the matter because the ANC does not use government resources for its rallies," said African National Congress (ANC) chair  Zweli Mkhize, when asked about the allegations.

In a statement earlier released by the Democratic Alliance (DA)'s Mark Steele, the party was allegedly in possession of a series of documents to support its allegations about the ANC election rally held in January.

"I am meeting with the Auditor-General this week to put the matter before him and to ask that a full investigation take place," Steele said.

"The available evidence suggests that this constitutes another example of the ANC's inability to separate party from state, or to distinguish the proper use of public money from the manipulation of revenue for party political purposes, " he said.

He also said senior officials from the Msunduzi Municipality authorised payment of R 1 065 117 for an event called "The Nkosi Mlaba Cultural Day' on 19 January 2009, despite the actual event being scheduled to take place on 18 January.

"As far as the DA can ascertain, there is no evidence the event ever took place."

"Instead, the only event actually to take place on 18 January was an ANC election rally at the Qokololo Stadium, attended by some 50 000 supporters," Steele said.

Municipal officials were not immediately available to comment.

- SAPA