The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

The Democratic Alliance in Limpopo will hand over evidence to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) in Limpopo and lodged a complaint against the ANC over the apparent use of an official Limpopo Provincial Government house handover in Modimolle-Mookgophong for party-political purposes during the current Local Government Election period.

The Electoral Code prohibits the abuse of a position of power, privilege or influence to influence the outcome of an election.

The conduct also raises serious questions under the Executive Ethics Code.

As the incident involved and was overseen by Premier Phophi Ramathuba, the DA will also report her to the Limpopo Legislature’s Ethics Committee for investigation.

On Tuesday, 29 September, Premier Ramathuba presided over the handover of a house in Modimolle-Mookgophong at an event officially advertised by the Limpopo Provincial Government.

A social media post from the event shows the Premier alongside ANC regional and REC office-bearers, with ANC regalia prominently displayed.

This was not an ANC event. It was an official government event.

The incident took place on the same day that political parties in Limpopo, including the ANC, signed and committed themselves to the IEC’s Code of Conduct.

The people of Limpopo must never be made to believe that government services are gifts from the ANC or any political party. Government has a duty to serve residents irrespective of how they vote. An official government programme cannot be appropriated and presented as political largesse from the ANC.

The Premier is entitled to campaign for her party. What is unacceptable is the blurring of that political role with her office as Premier while carrying out official government duties.

The failure to separate the ANC from the state lies at the heart of many of the governance failures that have damaged Limpopo.

When party loyalty and state power become intertwined, public institutions — including municipalities — become vulnerable to politicisation, patronage, cadre deployment, corruption and weakened state capability.

Limpopo has paid a heavy price: failing municipalities, collapsing infrastructure, weak financial controls, deteriorating services and too few jobs.

Government belongs to the people, not to the ANC. Government services are not ANC gifts, and the office of the Premier is not an ANC office.

The separation between party and state must be defended for the good of the people of Limpopo.

Issued DA Limpopo Provincial leader Jacques Smalle