DA: ANC can only dream about Western Cape

2012-06-12 10:12

Marius Fransman, file photo. (Sapa)

Johannesburg - The ANC's plans to regain control in the Western Cape in 2014 are nothing more than a pipe dream, the DA said on Monday.

"The leadership of the ANC is morally bankrupt and therefore stands no chance whatsoever of taking over the reigns in the Western Cape," provincial Democratic Alliance leader Theuns Botha said in a statement.

He said not even with the best of intentions would the ANC be able to regain control of the Western Cape while there was so much division within the party due to power hunger.

"The ANC also shamelessly continues to employ racially based nationalism in order to oppose the DA's known record of excellent governance and service delivery."

Non-racialism

Botha said this was a tangible threat to non-racialism in the Western Cape.

"Distrust and conflict between communities is perpetuated, as was shockingly obvious recently in Grabouw and other municipalities where the DA gained control after the last municipal election."

Botha was responding to statements made by ANC chairperson Marius Fransman.

The Cape Times on Monday quoted Fransman saying the ANC could regain control of the province in 2014 by reaching out to coloureds scarred by apartheid and recognising how blacks had been alienated in the province.

The party would also take the lead in taking the Khoi and San people's need for land to the provincial government.

Service delivery

Closer relations would be forged with Muslims.

"We recognise that there are at least 1.3 million Muslims. It is very important to have a strong relationship, not for their voting but because they were part of the fight for liberation."

The ANC's provincial executive said the party would focus on services in poor areas, foetal alcohol syndrome, and unacceptable school drop-out rates.

Fransman was speaking after the ANC's provincial general council at the weekend.

- SAPA