Mantashe dismisses critique that ANC’s bolstered service delivery is electioneering

JOHANNESBURG - African National Congress (ANC) national chairperson Gwede Mantashe says even if development in some communities is the result of pressure from the looming elections, it’s not like those gains can be reversed.

Speaking to Eyewitness News, Mantashe dismissed criticism that the government is fast-tracking service delivery for electioneering purposes.

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The ANC’s head of elections, Mdumseni Ntuli, was heard in April in leaked recordings saying government departments had to submit details of their projects to the party in a bid to boost its campaign strategy.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) also announced that it would request the Public Protector to investigate the ANC for alleged manipulation of public funds for electioneering.

The election cycle has come with a fair share of ribbon-cutting, job opportunities, transformers for many communities across parts of Soweto and Kagiso, as well as continuous supply of electricity for most.

In some instances, services that had ground to a halt are suddenly getting a new lease on life before the elections.

While many have criticised the governing party for the sudden urgency, Mantashe has highlighted the positive impact that comes with this period.

“You can do it in response to the pressure of elections but after elections, we are not going to fetch those things and take them away. We are not going to do that. That development is inherent - it is there.”

Mantashe also dismissed sentiments that in Gauteng, his party has prioritised the needs of residents in Soweto – a traditional ANC stronghold – which has seen parties like ActionSA growing rapidly in recent years.