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Today Minister of Public Enterprises, Malusi Gigaba, revealed in response to a parliamentary question that Transnet was approached by the ANC, requesting funding for its centenary celebrations. While Transnet did decline the request, it is deeply problematic that the ANC is soliciting money from state-owned entities.

A copy of this reply follows below.

Public funds cannot and should not be used to fund party-political events. This money is entrusted to government by citizens to provide service delivery; that is what it must be used for.

This follows yesterday’s admission by Defence Minister Lindiwe Sisulu that, while her Department was not approached for funding, she would gladly have offered it if it was.

I have submitted parliamentary questions to all government departments to find out whether they were approached for funding, and if so, whether they provided funding.

This ANC request for state funding flies in the face of ANC chairperson Baleka Mbete’s commitment that the ANC would not use state funds to finance the party’s centenary celebrations. State resources must be used to deliver services to the South African people, not to serve the needs of a political party. That the ANC has sought to abuse public funds in this way is unjustifiable.