JUSTIN ARENSTEIN, Pietersburg | Monday
NORTHERN Province’s director general has launched an investigation into the abuse of State resources for electioneering by the African National Congress (ANC) following alleged abuses in the Office of the Premier.
The probe follows media questions about the use of tax funds and government officials to organise a rally in the province. MEC in the Premier’s Office, Catherine Mabuza, hosted and addressed the rally to officially open the office, which was assigned to her for political party work by the provincial legislature.
Her government public relations officer, Lucky Nchabeleng, used government computers, fax machines and telephones to organise the rally and invite 40 dignitaries and 300 local residents to the event.
Director general Manching Bennedicta Monama will also probe indications that State funds were used to rent a tent, chairs and other equipment.
The use of State resources for political party campaigning is strictly prohibited by South Africa’s electoral and public service regulations.
National government communication information service head Joel Netshitenzhe said the incident was the first reported abuse of State resources during the run-up to local government elections on December 12.
“Government issued clear guidelines that apply to all government structures during the election period. No public servant is allowed to act in a way that unfairly advantages or prejudices any political party,” said Netshitenzhe.
Stressing officials were constitutionally allowed to belong to political parties, Netshitenzhe said they could only do volunteer work for their parties after hours.
Northern Province Premier Ngoako Ramatlhodi has previously been criticised for using government vehicles, staff and military helicopters to ferry journalists around the province on an ANC election campaign during the June 1999 general elections.
Electoral Institute of South Africa (EISA) senior researcher, David Pottie, said the misuse of public property for party political purposes appeared to be a widespread problem.
“This [most recent] case constitutes an obvious irregularity, but the overlap between State resources and party activities occurs all the time. It becomes particularly worrying during election periods,” said Pottie. – African Eye News Service