Picture: North West provincial government spokesperson, Brian Setswambung

BY REGINALD KANYANE

THE North West provincial government dismissed reports that its employees were told to vote for the ANC or lose their jobs as laughable and absurd.

Provincial government spokesperson, Brian Setswambung said no one can threaten anyone as every citizen has a democratic right to be associated with a political party of his/her choice.

“There has not been any government platform where public servants were influenced or threatened to vote the ANC. The allegation is malicious and only serves to undermine public servants. This implies that they are pliable and do not know their rights.

“Your vote is your secret. So even if anyone threatens them, how would you know that they voted for which party? We need to apply logic on other things. Political parties will do anything to get media attention. So, we urge political parties to refrain from using dirty tactics,” Setswambung said.

The EFF in North West has filed a complaint with the Electoral Commission (IEC). The party alleged that ANC forced its government employees to campaign for the party.

EFF provincial spokesman Mpoletsang Montshosi said: “EPWP and CWP workers came to the EFF to say their jobs are being threatened. They are told to do ANC electioneering work. If they do not, they are told they will be fired.”

Montshosi said they have received those allegations from Mamusa, Ditsobotla and Maquassi Hills.

IEC provincial chairperson, Dr Tumelontle Thiba said that investigations were underway. Thiba added that they will visit various communities to verify the claims.

“We can confirm that we have received the complaint from the EFF. We urge political parties to have tolerance towards each other. There are penalties for misconduct and contravening the act in terms of the Municipal Electoral Act. The fines include a R200 000 fine and the disqualification of candidates and the withdrawal of parties registration,” she said.

ANC provincial secretary, Dakota Legoete said they have not mandated anyone to threaten EPWP and CWP workers in ANC’s name.

“We actually want to condemn public servants who threaten those EPWP and CWP workers if the allegations are true. However we also believe that EFF might be using this as a public stunt. We know EPWP and CWP are government project and the aim was to fight poverty, unemployment and create job opportunities as the caring government,” Legoete said.

-TDN

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