APC accuses EFF, ANC of removing posters in Alex
The African People’s Convention (APC) in Alexandra has accused the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the African National Congress (ANC) of removing APC campaign material in the community.
The APC’s Thabo Mopase said he had received a tip-off from a community member that children dressed in black T-shirts with ANC regalia were removing his party’s posters. “We realized that this problem was not done by ordinary children, they might have been youth who are well coordinated to do this,” Mopase said.
Mopase, who left the ANC’s Alexandra branch in December 2018 to join the APC, has since requested the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to investigate, as he believes the incident represents a violation of their freedom of expression and the rules of open, free and fair democratic elections.
According to the IEC’s Electoral Code of Conduct it is prohibited to destroy, remove or deface posters of other political parties.
The ANC secretary in Alexandra, Banele Sangcozi, has refuted Mopase’s claims stating that the party advocates for political tolerance. Sangcozi has called Mopase to provide evidence of ANC members’ involvement, and says he will deal with any members found to have been involved.
Meanwhile the chairman of the ANC in Alexandra, Thulani Ndlovu, has launched a formal investigation into Mopase’s claims. – Alex FM (edited by Veronical Makhoali)