Gauteng Premier Paul Mashatile accused the Democratic Alliance (DA) on Friday of using apartheid tactics.

Speaking from the floor of the Gauteng Legislature, Mashatile responded to DA provincial legislature leader Jack Bloom's filing of a complaint against him related to the alleged fraud and corruption of Carl Niehaus while he was the CEO of the Gauteng Economic Development Agency.

"I don't think we should play games because an election is coming. We know it's a DA strategy, when [the DA] doesn't have anything, make them [the ANC] look corrupt," said Mashatile.

Mashatile said the police station where Bloom filed his complaint was the same one he had been held in for African National Congress activities during apartheid.

"[During apartheid] they put me there because they thought by taking me away from society they will silence me," said Mashatile. He accused Bloom of filing a complaint against him so that he would be removed as a leader.

"I was not surprised to see you doing the same. If you can't defeat your political opponents put them in jail. 'Put Mashatile in jail so he can't lead the election campaign'," said Mashatile.

Mashatile accused the DA of using the issue of Carl Niehaus as an election ploy, because they lacked their own ideas.

Mashatile also complained of his treatment in the media.

"Not only is the charge made against me, but in the newspapers...I am made to look like a criminal," said Mashatile.

He said that he acted swiftly against Niehaus when allegations of fraud arose.

Mashatile also cited incidents when he had sacked officials for improprieties, including those he'd worked closely with in the ANC.

"Now who's not dealing with corruption here?"

Responding later, Bloom told Sapa: "It's absolutely ridiculous to accuse me of apartheid tactics. I'm just exercising my rights under the constitution.

"I think he's evading the issue."