ANC's Legoete says 'foreign intelligence agencies' want to oust party with 'soft coup'

JOHANNESBURG - The African National Congress (ANC) said that the party was under siege from wealthy families who were funding opposition parties to perform a soft coup in the country.

Eyewitness News recently reported how the Oppenheimer family donated over R68 million to opposition parties.

However, the ANC also received millions from its billionaire benefactor, Patrice Motsepe.

ANC national executive committee member, Dakota Legoete, spoke on the sidelines of the party’s campaign trail in Katlehong.

"Some from foreign intelligence agencies want to displace the ANC out of power with a soft coup. Some of our top wealthy families in the country, through their foundations, supporting small independent candidates, supporting smaller opposition parties, as part of their initiative to displace the ANC."

Meanwhile, ANC veteran Tokyo Sexwale said that the influx of new political parties was a result of people’s dissatisfaction with the governing party.

Sexwale said he joined the party's campaign trail to prevent another party from ascending to power.

"When your father's home is on fire you don't ngabaza (have doubts) and ask what's happening, you take the bucket and join others and we douse the flames, then we can talk later what caused the problems."