ANC accuses DA of using misinformation tactics in Centurion's by-election

The ANC in Tshwane has condemned the DA's alleged spread of false claims about an FF Plus win benefiting the ANC in Centurion's Ward 57 by-election on Wednesday, calling it a manipulative tactic evoking the “swart gevaar” propaganda reminiscent of apartheid-era scare tactics.

Tension flared between the DA and FF Plus ahead of Wednesday's Ward 57 by-election, won by the DA, after FF Plus accused the party of spreading false claims that an FF Plus victory would benefit the ANC.

FF Plus councillor Grandi Theunissen said the claims were made to manipulate voters, adding that his party has lodged a formal complaint with the Municipal Party Liaison Committee (MPLC) against DA representatives for allegedly breaching the Electoral Code of Conduct. 

He said the complaint stems from DA campaign claims in Ward 57, covering Lyttelton and Kloofsig, which FF Plus deems misleading.

DA Gauteng North regional chairperson Crezane Bosch said the party has not received any formal complaint or details from the MPLC about allegations made during the Ward 57 campaign. 

She said without factual basis or documentation, the party is unable to respond meaningfully.

“The DA rejects any suggestion that it has acted unlawfully or in breach of the Electoral Code of Conduct. Our campaign in Ward 57 has been conducted in line with the law and accepted democratic practice. All campaign material and messaging used by the DA is lawful and forms part of the public domain, as is standard in an open and competitive election,” Bosch said.

The ANC has slammed the DA and FF Plus for allegedly attempting to divide the country along racial lines amid the Ward 57 by-election row.

ANC regional secretary George Matjila said: “The ANC’s regional executive committee learned with shock that the DA’s campaign ahead of the Wednesday's by-election in Ward 57, in Centurion was based on a false claim that a vote for the FF Plus is equal to a vote for the ANC, once again evoking the ‘swart gevaar’ propaganda, which was used to justify years of apartheid rule, along with the accompanying maiming of Africans without consequences.”

He said the throwing around of ‘swart gevaar’ misinformation is part of an agenda to create white enclaves in the capital, undermining post-1994 nation-building efforts.

“The DA’s move is not different to the white genocide misinformation that has now caused a diplomatic crisis and placed South Africa in the crosshairs of the fascist groupings including the US President Donald Trump,” Matjila said.

He said the ANC is calling on all South Africans to resist being drawn into a “clearly racist agenda” aimed at maintaining historical inequalities, rather than working to reverse them.

He added that despite the election outcome, the ANC remains committed to non-racialism and liberation of all South Africans, rejecting the DA and FF Plus's alleged attempts to confine voters to racial lines.

Meanwhile, the DA's candidate Jack Page emerged victorious during the by-election, beating the FF Plus’ Wesley Jacobs and ANC’s Elias Mokoatedi.

Bosch said the DA’s victory in Ward 57 by-election sends a very clear message that the DA is the party of choice for residents who want the capital city to work again.

“Tshwane finds itself in the midst of a service delivery crisis. One only compounded by directionless leadership under the current ANC-led coalition, who consistently claim success, but deliver only disappointment,” she said.

She believes the win proves the DA is on track ahead of local government elections later this year. 

“We extend our sincerest thanks to every voter who placed their trust in Jack Page, and the DA yesterday. Together with those like minded voters, we will take back Tshwane later this year, and deliver a capital city that works for all of its residents,” Bosch said.

rapula.moatshe@inl.co.za