According to reports, the ANC has called for the arrest of people keeping food parcels from the poor, including its own members.
The organisation’s deputy secretary-general, Jessie Duarte, reportedly told News24 on Monday that two party members had been suspended for breaking lockdown regulations while wearing ANC attire. One had reportedly already been arrested, while the other is said to face a similar fate.
The two will also go through the party’s disciplinary processes.
Duarte called on communities to report its councillors if they are found to be in the wrong. This comes after the growing reports of councillors looting food parcels meant for the most vulnerable.
“We believe that it is completely unconscionable for anyone to use food parcels right now for political patronage,” said Duarte.
Duarte also emphasised that the food parcels were not a “want” but a critical supply of food for those vulnerable people, and she questioned how people could deprive the needy of such vital assistance.
News24 last week reported that the South African Social Services Agency (SASSA) was allegedly investigating one of its directors in Mpumalanga after she was accused of authorising food parcels to be delivered to an ANC member of the provincial legislature.
Duarte encouraged members of the public to alert the police whenever they see people attempting to block food packages from reaching those who are in need.
“We are not going to accept this; what we need to do right now is to be there for the poor, not to take advantage of them,” she said.
