Cape Town - The ANC in the Western Cape says it is looking into allegations that a Cederberg resident was bribed by one of its members.
Ward 5, which consists of Lambert’s Bay and Leipoldtville towns, had its by-election on Wednesday.
Resident, Mervyn Fransman alleged that an ANC member came to his home, requested his ID and promised to give him R100 ahead of the by-election.
“On Tuesday evening the ANC member came to me. She requested my ID and promised to give me R100 and a food hamper on 12 October. She did not come to me on the morning with any of those things and she kept my ID. She wanted me to vote for ANC. I am a member of the PA and I vote for the PA,” he said.
Fransman opened a case with the police on Wednesday, claiming the ANC member was refusing to return his ID.
Police spokesperson, warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi said circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation.
“Reports suggests that the complainant in the matter, a 48-year-old man alleged that he handed his Identity document to the suspect in the matter, in exchange for a hamper and cash. The agreement was never honoured and the suspect is still in possession of the personal document of the complainant and now refuses to return the document. Lambert’s Bay police are investigating a case of preventing a person from exercising a right conferred by the Electoral Act,” Swartbooi said.
ANC head of communications, Sifiso Mtsweni said they were not aware of the allegations.
“I am not aware neither is the party on this. I will make further investigations to check the veracity of these allegations. Any member of the ANC who engages in such activities is against party policies and that is a gross violation of our constitution and general revolutionary morality,” he said.
The DA won the crucial by-election on Wednesday.
The ANC and the Patriotic Alliance (PA) were among the parties contesting the ward.
Cape Times