ANC55: Mantashe says he was asked for R100k in exchange for votes

Newly re-elected ANC chairperson Gwede Mantashe on Tuesday revealed that he was asked to pay R100 000 in exchange for 40 votes at the party’s elective conference held in Nasrec.

He denounced the use of money to bribe delegates at ANC conferences, saying “it’s a serious matter.”

“If there is one battle we almost lost, is that of fighting against money. In the past, we would hear rumours about cash being used, this time around, people and branch and regional levels call you to tell you they have a number of votes, asking for money.

“One person phoned me and said I’ve got 40 delegates, please give me R100 000. And I told him if I had R100 000 I would go to an auction and buy sheep or cattle, I wouldn’t give it to him,” he told eNCA.

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Ramaphosa campaign ‘scaled down’

Regarding allegations that President Cyril Ramaphosa dished out cash ahead of his election at the 2017 conference, Mantashe said he thinks Ramaphosa “scaled down” this year.

Ramaphosa’s ‘CR17’ campaign had a multi-million budget in the run-up to the 54th elective conference also held at Nasrec.

“He was in trouble the last time about that. But this time, it was more complex because it was widespread.”

He further mentioned that a person who worked in the ANC presidency’s office also “went around buying votes.”

“This person was campaigning for treasurer-general. We raised our concerns that this person is going around buying votes, please deal with the issue. Fortunately, he wasn’t elected treasurer-general.

“Going around displaying money is the worst thing because you spoil these delegates. when you talk to them without giving them money, they think that you’re sick,” said Mantashe.

Mantashe didn’t name the person accused of bribing delegates.

The treasurer-general position was contested by Ekurhuleni chairperson Mzwandile Masina, national spokesperson Pule Mabe, Gwen Ramokgopa and Bejani Chauke.

Ramokgopa won with 1 809 votes.

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