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- The ANC is embarking on its electioneering campaign across the country.
- Fikile Mbalula was in QwaQwa in the Free State on Saturday.
- The ANC leader blamed his predecessor, Ace Magashule, for the corruption plaguing the Free State and the lack of service delivery progress.
ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula launched a broadside at Ace Magashule, whom he blamed for the regression in service delivery and widespread corruption that has plagued the Free State for years.
Mbalula used Magashule as a campaign tool on his visit to QwaQwa in the Free State on Saturday.
"There was a lot of political inference in this area, which is why we had a split in this municipality. Magashule ruined everything. He ruined everything and the ANC in the Free State, even the ANC. He taught people that working for the ANC is working for yourself and not the people. He (Magashule) taught them to steal money for themselves," Mbalula said.
Magashule served as Free State premier for years and was seen as a strongman whose support was unshakable. He recently formed his political party, African Congress for Transformation (ACT), which plans to rival the ANC.
Within the context that Magashule still enjoys support in the province, Mbalula took direct aim at the former ANC member.
"If you steal, we will back you [to] step aside. Ask Magashule. We dealt with him with asbestos," Mbalula said of his predecessor, whom he has continuously accused of causing divisions in the ANC. Magashule is facing corruption charges relating to a R250 million asbestos tender.
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The ANC in the Free State recently expelled over 20 members from its ranks who openly showed support for Magashule, with the party accusing them of helping their now rival recruit from the ANC ranks.
The QwaQwa community has seen little service delivery improvement for years.
Areas in the region still have issues with water, electricity and ageing road infrastructure.
Mbalula acknowledged the party's disastrous governance track record before the ANC members gathered at the local hall.
He said many of those who continued to vote for the party did so despite the apparent lack of service delivery progress.
Under apartheid, access to health services depended on the colour of your skin, with low life expectancy for the majority. Today, 7 out of 10 households first call on public healthcare facilities when someone is ill, because our country prioritises free primary health care. Since… pic.twitter.com/5HJkfBQhye
— ANC SECRETARY GENERAL | fikile Mbalula (@MbalulaFikile) October 7, 2023
The ANC leader blamed corruption for the problems. As in many previous ANC electioneering campaigns, he promised things would change.
He said citizens could not distinguish between a thief and an ANC member.
"There is still a problem of water in Harrismith. And even in the bad or the good, people vote for the ANC. People must have water and electricity. People want the basics and not for us to build them mansions. We need to fix these things.
"There must be a difference between thieves that steal from the people and ANC members. The ANC must work for the nation, which is important," Mbalula said.
