The Western Cape leader of the Freedom Front Plus, Dr Corne Mulder, faces a criminal investigation after he was allegedly seen removing Democratic Alliance posters at the weekend.
However, Mulder, who is also the brother of FF+ leader Pieter Mulder, on Tuesday angrily denied a DA claim that he broke the law.
“It’s libel, it’s slander, it’s absolute rubbish. It’s a vicious lie,” he said.
“It’s a tragedy that the DA has stooped this low at the beginning of this campaign.”
DA Western Cape election coordinator Robin Carlisle said a member of the public “who prefers to remain anonymous” saw a person removing DA posters in the Melkbosstrand area of the Cape Town metro on Sunday night.
“He took the registration number [CK 30666] and reported the matter to the local police, who returned with him to the scene. The vehicle had left, but at least one further poster had been removed.
“Little did he know that the sole occupant of the vehicle was Mr Corne Mulder, brother of the Freedom Front’s leader.”
Carlisle said that on Monday the member of the public laid charges under the Electoral Act at the Melkbosstrand police station, and the DA laid a complaint with the Independent Electoral Commission.
He said more than 100 DA posters had been put up in the area, “and less than 10 could still be found”.
Mulder said he and his son had been putting up and removing posters in the Melkbosstrand area, where he lives, on Sunday.
However, the posters they removed were outdated FF+ posters urging people to register for the elections, not DA material.
He said he had noticed someone in a bakkie watching him, who initially sped away, then returned later when they were putting up posters at another spot near the Melkbosstrand library.
“The next moment the police came along. They said they received a complaint that I was removing posters,” he said.
Mulder said he showed the police the removed FF+ posters in his car.
“I am the leader of the party in the Western Cape,” he said. “Why on earth would I remove DA posters?
“It is a blatant lie and I challenge Mr Carlisle and any DA member to prove their blatant lies in any court.
“The Freedom Front will continue to take their support from them and no amount of lies and half truths will change anything in that regard.”
Melkbosstrand police confirmed a charge was laid. — Sapa
Special Report: Elections 2004