ANC slated on social media for trying to justify food parcels
An attempt by the ruling party to justify the distribution of food parcels during their election campaign backfired spectacularly.
News24 reports that the ANC, in an attempt to explain why they distribute food parcels at electioneering events, took to Facebook and tried to connect with their followers… that was a mistake.
The party posted the following status update:“The idea of the distribution of food parcels at events, be they government or party, being tantamount to ‘vote-buying’ is a deeply problematic assumption that should not go unchallenged.
We live in a country where despite the many gains since democracy, a large percentage of our people continue to face lives of extreme poverty.”
The post followed a report by the Sunday Independent criticising the party’s deputy secretary general, Jessie Duarte. The report questioned the ANC’s use of food parcels as an electioneering strategy.
Despite the party’s best efforts at explaining themselves, scores of followers tore into the ANC after the post. Here are some of the best ones:
User Mzolisi Ka-Xengxe said.
“I think the ANC is missing the point here… Cause these food parcels are not done each and every month… But they become alive towards election months… If this government is aware about the plight of our [people] why [is that] the situation?”
McDonald Phasumane said.
“If ANC could provide food parcels every month to poor families, then I would also challenge whoever is against that. Now ANC tell me. Why do you people distribute food parcels every time when it’s election time? Do you buy people’s votes? Is that moral?”
Michael Manpisce referenced the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA).
“But we cannot condone your thieving of SASSA food parcels and you use them at your ANC events to buy votes!”
Emile Mohare said the taxpayer’s money is being used to fund the ruling party.
“What is insulting is using taxpayer’s money for party gains, where are these nonsense food parcels during the year and when there are no elections around? I don’t want to see that rubbish in my house by the way!”
Mthokozisi Kubheka questioned the motives of the ANC in delivering food parcels so close to the elections.
“ANC buy votes with food parcels. They know our people are poor. Just imagine you give [voters] food [parcels – that’s going to] last two days. What about [the third] day? [Worst] stupidity of ANC.”
