Newly elected ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula, has distanced the governing party from those who allegedly asked government departments to fund some of their activities for the January 8 celebrations in Mangaung.
The ANC is expected to descend on Mangaung (Bloemfontein), its birthplace, to celebrate its 111th anniversary and a series of events that it has planned.
The celebrations will be held at the Dr. Petrus Molemela stadium in the Free State next weekend.
The celebration will also offer the party’s leadership to deliver the statement that charts the way forward for the government it leads.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Mbalula said they have noted with concern messages circulating on social media platforms suggesting that there is a directive from unnamed sources that government departments must fund certain aspects of the party’s 111th Anniversary celebrations.
Mbalula said the ANC will not tolerate any person using its name under the pretext of raising funds for its activities from public source.
“Where there is any evidence of any government official purporting to divert public resources under the pretext that these are for ANC activities, decisive action will be taken against such officials and any suggestion that the ANC is plundering public resources to fund its activities is rejected with the contempt it deserves,” Mbalula said.
“The January 8 celebration is a national event under the stewardship of the deputy secretary general, Nomvula Mokonyane, working with the ANC Interim Provincial Committee (IPC) of the Free State Province.”
Mbalula said all matters related to fundraising and funding are handled by the treasurer general, Gwen Ramakgopa, while Mokonyane is the convener of the preparations for the January 8 celebrations.
Political analysts believe that the key message again this year will be again a call for unity and renewal as the incumbent president will be serving his last term in office.
Source: Sowetan Live, The Citizen, IOL, image from twitter: @MbalulaFikile