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Durban – Former KwaZulu-Natal premier Senzo Mchunu has highlighted various methods used to corrupt voting processes in local structures of the ANC.
Mchunu was speaking on Wednesday at the Moerane Commission on political killings that have plagued the province since 2011.
According to Mchunu, various methods are used to manipulate voting processes for councillor positions within the ruling party.
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He said a key strategy used by unscrupulous members wanting to ensure victory at local level was disinformation.
"Sometimes you can tell someone that a meeting is starting in the morning, but you are actually having the meeting in the evening."
He said that changing venues at the last minute was also a popular tactic.
"You will find that they will say a meeting is in one spot. Thereafter they change the venue but only inform one faction."
Use of authority, influence
Mchunu added that many chairpersons at local level meetings often used their authority to influence the outcomes of voting processes in meetings by manipulating the numbers so that when lists for councillor positions were compiled, it was not the legitimate results that were used.
Mchunu said that many of the meetings also had bouncers in attendance.
"The bouncers also come in the form of security companies. They are directed by certain people and they kick out those they do not want in the meetings because they fear it will cause them to lose."
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He said some leaders also used their influence within the government in meetings.
"They also call police saying there are people that need to be [expelled from the meeting]. Depending on your influence with police, you will get those people intimidated or removed."
He said when positions within the organisation became available they became a factor for potential violence.
ANC provincial spokesperson Mdumiseni Ntuli was not immediately available for comment.
Former KZN premier Senzo Mchunu arrives at the #MoeraneCommission in Mayville, Durban. @News24 pic.twitter.com/oaeSmrrhss
— Kaveel Singh (@kaveels) September 20, 2017
