DA calls for removal of some candidates on ANC list

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has escalated its objection to the African National Congress’ (ANC)  list for Parliament and Provincial Legislature’s candidates. The DA protested outside the ANC headquarters led by its premier candidate Solly Msimanga.

The party was also on its election campaign trail in Bloemfontein and in the Northern Cape. This is the DA’s conviction when it comes to ANC leaders, fit for prison. The party claims Luthuli House is sending corrupt candidates to be lawmakers.

They have pointed out Deputy President, David Mabuza and National Chairperson of the ANC Gwede Mantashe as those who should be removed from the party list.

“These are not people that deserve to go to Parliament. These are not people that can be our public representatives, but these are people who should actually be sent to jail. We are here to say today, we have brought them uniforms; we don’t have to use tax payers’ money anymore to be giving to them while they are being sentenced. We are saying this is where they deserve to go,” says  Msimanga.

However, the ANC dismissed DA’s protest as cheap politics.

“Their usage of the ANC as a scapegoat is not going to assist them. They normally say where they govern they govern better, but now you can’t govern by running away from your responsibilities, particularly to your residents, to your tax payers, to the citizenry of the country.”  says ANC Spokesperson Dakota Legoete.

Meanwhile, in Bloemfontein the DA says it is still concerned about lack of safety for rural women. The party marched to South African Police Services (SAPS) Free State Commissioner’s office to hand over a memorandum.

“We want to highlight the plight of our women. They are raped and murdered, our police don’t have resources, and many cases are struck off the roll. Police don’t have capabilities. Cyril Ramaphosa is being looked after by 30 people but the ordinary people are not safe,” says DA Free State Premier Candidate Patricia Kopane.

The DA alleges lack of specialised investigative units has led to many reported cases not appearing before court. DA leader Mmusi Maimane visited residents of Douglas, in the Northern Cape.

Residents there are still using the bucket system. Maimane says Douglas residents are still using buckets and are poor.

He also says there is a criminal case opened against Good Party leader Patricia de Lille and the matter should be adjudicated by the electoral court.

Maimane says they will be meeting with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to discuss the ruling that the party should apologise to De Lille.