‘Municipal resources belong to the people, not the ANC’: ATM calls for jobs-for-votes investigation

The African Transformation Movement (ATM) has called for an investigation into allegations of jobs-for-votes in the Buffalo City Municipal Council. The party claims that some of its volunteers in different wards were told they would receive job opportunities in the municipality if they exchanged their ATM t-shirts for ANC ones. ATM spokesperson Zama Ntshona said some ATM volunteers have since received jobs in the municipality's Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) after giving up their support for the ATM.

This is not the first time the ANC has faced accusations of using EPWP job opportunities to boost their support. The government initially intended the EPWP to address poverty and high unemployment. Ntshona stated that the ATM will formally approach the Speaker of Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality and relevant oversight institutions to demand an urgent, independent investigation into the allegations.

He warned against political parties abusing their positions in government for electoral gains and emphasized that municipal resources belong to the people, not any political party.

Ntshona also called for a thorough investigation into the Buffalo City EPWP projects, alleging that the EPWP contracts have been used to serve the ANC. He believes that access to publicly funded jobs may be influenced by political considerations and that people without lawful municipal authority may be permitted to determine or influence who benefits.

Buffalo City, one of the most contested municipalities in the Eastern Cape, is currently under full ANC control. The ATM's complaints come days after political parties signed an Electoral Code of Conduct to ensure ethical behavior during campaigning and on election day. The ANC in the Eastern Cape has been contacted for comment but referred the matter to the regional structures in Buffalo City.