Deputy Police Minister Fikile Mbalula admitted on Tuesday that the use of money in elective conferences of the ANC is an increasing trend in the ruling party, and said delegates who are bribed for votes can be identified by the food they eat during such conferences.
Mbalula, who is also the national organiser of the ANC, told reporters during an ANC media briefing that delegates at conferences are often seen eating food that is different from the cuisine provided by the ANC.
“You see people eating Chicken Licken or Kentucky; they don’t eat the food provided by the ANC. We give them food, but they don’t want that. That is when we know there are people with ulterior motives [who buy this for delegates]. We provide good food but they eat Nandos, we provide Oros but they drink Fanta.”
Mbalula, together with fellow national executive member Febe Potgieter, briefed the media at Lillesleaf in Rivonia, Johannesburg, about the ANC’s discussion documents, titled “Organisational Renewal” and “Leadership Renewal”.
Recently the issue of money in conferences has been discussed — in these discussion documents it has been fingered as a habit that is plaguing party conferences.
The Mail & Guardian has reported on various practices used by prospective candidates and their sponsors to woo delegates into voting for a preferential candidate.
Some businessmen or politicians hand out envelopes stuffed with cash, while others promise tenders or positions in government. For the rank-and-file members, simply a takeaway meal is enough to sway their vote.
“Conferences should not be about how much [money] you have to win; they should be about how hard did you work,” Mbalula said.
‘When we act we should act decisively’
Potgieter admitted that it would be difficult to root out these practices, because those with evidence would be those who benefited from receiving money, favours or food.
She said any evidence of an ANC leadership candidate involved in such behaviour would mean disqualification of the candidate.
“We must institute a way for people to come forward, and when we act we should act decisively.”
The establishment of an integrity committee will also be mooted at the national general council (NGC) in September, which is the ANC’s largest meeting between elective conferences.
The committee will look at allegations against ANC members who are deemed to be using their political influence for business or financial gain.
The idea for the committee is still in its embryonic phase and therefore no details on how it will function are available.
The ANC also plans to have an in-house register of business interests for its members to ensure that there is no basis for conflict.