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Cape Town - UDM leader Bantu Holomisa has called for an urgent meeting of all political parties to address the ANC's alleged conflict with the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC).
Holomisa wrote a letter to IEC chairperson Glen Mashinini on Friday, questioning the timing of the ANC's reported objections to the commission following the results of the 2016 local elections. He called the allegations "serious".
City Press reported on Sunday that ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe and his deputy, Jessie Duarte, allegedly verbally attacked IEC vice chairperson Terry Tselane at the post-results dinner on August 6, in the presence of President Jacob Zuma.
Mantashe and Duarte allegedly accused Tselane of being an "enemy" of the ANC, of conniving with opposition parties, and removing Sadtu-affiliated teachers as electoral officers.
Holomisa said the ruling party's objection to Tselane removing Sadtu-affiliated teachers from posts as electoral officers was questionable.
"It is interesting to note that Mr Mantashe seems to be confirming that the appointment of teachers as electoral officers is designed to disadvantage opposition parties and unduly benefit the ANC.
"Such an admission vindicates the view always held by opposition parties with regard to the 'exclusive' appointment of teachers as electoral officers."
'ANC reaffirms confidence in IEC'
Holomisa also said that the timing of the ANC's objection to the use of Accenture, the company that provides technical support for the IEC, was suspicious.
"It begs a serious question; why does the ruling party now have an issue with Accenture and why was this matter never tabled at the National Party Liaison Committee?"
He suggested that the "shock" local government election results had played a role.
ANC spokesperson Zizi Kodwa on Monday rejected the report of a "war" with the IEC.
"The ANC reaffirms its confidence in the IEC, a body that was set up and supported by the ANC-led government. We further refute any allegations of any war between the ANC and the IEC," he said.
The IEC continued to set the standard for professionalism, and successive elections had shown that the citizenry had the utmost faith in the electoral process, he said.
"This the ANC has said before and after the local government elections of 2016."
