ANC Joburg dismisses vote-rigging claims as ‘a movie’ after ballots found in Pretoria
ANC Greater Johannesburg chairperson Loyiso Masuku won the party’s regional conference in Johannesburg, which has since been placed under scrutiny following allegations of voting irregularities.
Image: Timothy Bernard/ Independent Newspapers
The ANC Greater Johannesburg Region has rejected allegations of vote rigging at its 16th Regional Conference, saying ballot papers allegedly found at a house in Pretoria have nothing to do with the region and dismissing the claims as a “movie.”
The controversy follows the ANC’s Greater Johannesburg elective conference held in December, where Loyiso Masuku narrowly defeated Dada Morero to become regional chairperson. The conference has since been clouded by allegations of bribery and election manipulation, now under investigation by police and the party’s national leadership.
Police on Sunday visited a Pretoria property after complaints were lodged, where ballot boxes and ballot papers were allegedly discovered.
A video later circulated on social media showing officers opening a black plastic bag in the backyard of the property, with what appeared to be ballot papers spilling out.
ANC Gauteng convenor of deployees Khumbudzi Ntshavheni was among senior party officials who visited the property.
“This matter has to be processed and then I’ll get the report,” Ntshavheni said. “I know there is a desire for instant answers, but some of these matters require careful consideration.”
She cautioned against drawing premature conclusions, saying the ANC had safeguards to protect its internal processes.
“The ANC has processes that are tight enough to safeguard its own processes and continually strengthens them where weaknesses arise. There is recourse,” she said. “The ANC will process and discuss the way forward.”
Addressing the media on Monday after a regional executive committee (REC) meeting in Johannesburg, ANC Greater Johannesburg regional secretary Sasabona Manganye said the meeting focused on unity.
“The spirit of this REC was about how we ensure that we work very hard to unite the African National Congress and the alliance,” Manganye said. “We are the leadership of the ANC in Joburg, and we carry that responsibility.”
He said members had a democratic right to raise grievances, provided they were addressed through internal structures and in line with the ANC constitution.
“Rule 14 of the ANC constitution is very clear that disputes related to electoral processes must be dealt with by the Elections Commission,” he said.
He said that this had been reaffirmed by ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula and provincial leadership.
Manganye said the region had nothing to answer for beyond those processes.
“The Hollywood that happened in Pretoria, we are not going to comment on that,” he said. “It has nothing to do with us.”
He said the regional conference was properly closed on December 5, by Ntshavheni, with results declared the following day.
“What happened there is not our business,” Manganye said. “It is a matter for national and provincial structures to deal with.”
Manganye also expressed condolences to the family of the presiding officer at the conference, who has since died, calling it regrettable that such incidents surfaced after his death.
Loyiso Masuku has been announced as the new ANC regional chairperson of Johannesburg.
Image: Supplied
He criticised the South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) for publicly airing what he described as unsubstantiated allegations while positioning itself as a defender of Morero.
“If you want to get ballot papers, you go and get them live on TV,” he said. “You then have to ask whether that move was well directed.”
He said SANCO would normally engage the ANC internally before going public, adding that the newly elected regional leadership had not yet met with the organisation.
He again dismissed the Pretoria incident as theatrics.
“Later that day, Hollywood happened in Pretoria,” he said. “We do not have the details or the circumstances that informed such actions, but it has nothing to do with our conference.”
Meanwhile, Mbalula has requested a South African Police Service (SAPS) investigation into the Johannesburg regional election following complaints of alleged irregularities.
ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa said over the weekend that he is awaiting a detailed report on the discovery of ballot papers allegedly linked to the Johannesburg regional conference.
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