Celani Sikhakhane
The ANC leadership have accused independent candidates in the Harry Gwala region of using the organisation’s resources to campaign for the upcoming elections.
Independent candidates, whose names were removed from the IEC list, are accused of wearing ANC colours during their campaigns and telling people that once they win the elections they will go back to the ANC.
About 21 independent candidates in the region chose to contest against the ANC after their names were removed without their consent.
Harry Gwala regional chairperson, Zamo Nxumalo warned that this will cost the ANC at the polls on 1 November.
“These people have created a serious confusion in our communities, using the ANC name to campaign as if they are the candidates of our organisations,” said Nxumalo.
“We warn the communities that they must be careful of these candidates because they are independent. They will disappear after the elections.”
Harry Gwala is not the only region that is facing such behaviour from an independent candidate.
In Mkhanyakude independent candidates are being assisted by disgruntled ANC leaders who were not happy about the removal of their favourite candidates from the IEC list.
This was revealed by the ANC Provincial Executive Committee member Ndodephethe Mthethwa.
“We are on the verge of losing all municipalities under uMkhanyakude to the IFP due to this issue,” said Mthethwa.
The use of ANC resources by independent candidates is not new in KZN.
In the 2016 local government elections many independent candidates who defected from the ANC after their names were removed, were assisted by the SACP especially in eThekwini region.
The SACP also organised election campaigns for some of them in Ntshangwe where the ANC ended up losing the ward.
This year more than 1,500 independent candidates have registered to contest elections.
