ANC: No gerrymandering in DA-run region
2011-03-09 21:15
Johannesburg - The ANC has denied claims that it bused in supporters who set up fake addresses before registering to vote in the Democratic Alliance-run Midvaal region at the weekend.
ANC Sedibeng region spokesperson Jeff Rademeyer said the party was merely providing transport to voting stations for people living in rural parts of Midvaal, which is the only DA run municipality in Gauteng.
"The DA accuse the ANC of busing in people from outside the Midvaal area in what they regard as ANC desperation to win Midvaal," Rademeyer said.
"From our side this it is not the case.
"What they are missing is that much of Midvaal is a rural area, with residents residing kilometres away from the nearest voting stations and are affected by lack of transport.
"Most of the downtrodden and poor living in Midvaal is depending on others to provide in their transport needs.
"It is customary ANC uses buses to use transport to voting stations."
Rademeyer said the Independent Electoral Commission would have to decide on the matter.
"It is the intention of the ANC to win elections in all areas where it is contesting and therefore Midvaal is no exception," he said.
"The scarecrow tactics of the DA will not discourage the ANC from its resolve to ensure that the people of Midvaal, irrespective of race and creed, share in the better life for all committed by the ANC."
Midvaal mayor Timothy Nast laid charges of electoral fraud against eight people who registered to vote and gave non-existent addresses on Monday.
IEC agreed to investigate the DA's objections in connection with more than 100 voters who appeared to be registered at phantom addresses.
"This is against the background of a determined ANC using every illegal means possible to try and win the successfully run DA council of Midvaal," Nast said.
"Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane and her cabinet visited Meyerton using provincial government resources on Saturday to try and drum up ANC support," he said.
In the 2006 local government elections, the DA won 55.76% of the votes in Midvaal and the ANC 39%.
In the 2009 general elections, the ANC made inroads into the municipality, taking 45.63% of the vote. The DA took 43.9%.
- SAPA
