The Democratic Alliance is extremely concerned about reports that Buffalo City’s Infrastructure Directorate appears intent to misuse municipal resources to mobilise voters ahead of tomorrow’s elections.

In an email sent to all users of the municipality via its service desk, The Acting Head of Department for the Directorate of Infrastructure Services put out an urgent appeal to voluntarily release all available vehicles for the elections to the fleet department from 1 pm today [SUBS Tuesday, 28 May 2024].

We are aware that a follow-up email was sent out on behalf of the City Manager, calling for the email to be retracted and for the acting HOD to explain the request, as apparently no permission had been granted for such a request, nor did the City Manager have any knowledge thereof.

The request is highly irregular, and the DA will investigate the matter further. The DA will also continue to closely monitor the use of municipal vehicles, both in Buffalo City and across the province, for purposes other than municipal work or service delivery over the election period.

Any such use would be a clear abuse of municipal vehicles, which are used to deliver services to our residents and should not be exploited for other purposes, especially not for political gain.

Every party, its agents, and candidates commit to adhering to the provisions of the Electoral Code of Conduct before the elections. This includes prohibiting the abuse of a position of power, privilege, or influence to influence the outcome of an election.

We will report the matter to the IEC to determine if they have any knowledge of the request. I will also write to the COGTA MEC, Zolile Williams, to request that his Department investigate the request.

The DA is committed to see free and fair elections, where the people of South Africa can make their voices heard.