The ANC in the Eastern Cape has defended its crowdfunding campaign to raise funds for the 29 May elections but has come under fire on social media.
The party has asked its members and supporters to sign debit orders or make donations to help it through the election season.
So far it has managed to raise about R50,000.
Social media users criticised the party for asking its supporters to make donations while the province is one of the poorest in the country, with the highest unemployment rate.
Policy analyst Nkosikhulule Nyembezi said it was shocking that the party would use crowdfunding to finance its election campaign.
“It causes mixed emotions in an environment where politicians have been enriching themselves by climbing career ladders at the expense of improving the living standards of the masses who vote them into office,” Nyembezi said.
ANC provincial treasurer Zolile Williams said there was nothing wrong with the crowdfunding campaign.
“You must remember that there are no longer international donors. We have to depend on ourselves, we have to depend on ANC members and supporters.”
He said the party in the province had a healthy financial standing and was not bankrupt.
Williams said the party needed the money to transport volunteers and print election materials and cover other expenses that may occur in the run-up to the elections.
Members and supporters would not be forced to donate. “We need as little as a R10 donation from those willing to donate,” Williams added.
Pictured above: ANC Eastern Cape treasurer Zolile Williams.
Image source: Facebook/ANC Eastern Cape.
