The African National Congress (ANC) National Chairperson, Gwede Mantashe, has addressed criticism that the government is fast-tracking service delivery for electioneering purposes.
Speaking to a local publication, Mantashe emphasised that even if development in some communities is a result of pressure from the looming elections, those gains cannot be reversed.
The ANC’s Head of Elections, Mdumseni Ntuli, was heard in leaked recordings in April, stating that government departments had to submit details of their projects to the party to boost its campaign strategy.
In response, the Democratic Alliance (DA) announced that it would request the Public Protector to investigate the ANC for alleged manipulation of public funds for electioneering.
The election cycle has brought about various improvements in communities, including ribbon-cutting ceremonies, job opportunities, and the installation of transformers in parts of Soweto and Kagiso.
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Additionally, there has been a continuous supply of electricity to many areas. Some services that had previously ground to a halt are suddenly receiving attention and revitalization before the elections.
While the governing party has faced criticism for the sudden urgency in service delivery, Mantashe highlighted the positive impact that this period brings.
He stated that although development may be a response to election pressure, the ANC will not remove these improvements once the elections are over. Mantashe also dismissed sentiments that the ANC has prioritized the needs of residents in Soweto, a traditional ANC stronghold in Gauteng, over other areas.
