ANC leadership invades the turbulent Koppies

The ANC provincial executive committee (PEC) joined the Fezile Dabi regional leadership over the past weekend to conduct the party’s door-to-door campaign in the small town calling of Koppies, as the organisation continued to strengthen its electioneering campaign ahead of next year’s polls.

According to ANC provincial chairperson and Free State premier, Ace Magashule, plans are afoot to develop the Kwakwatsi township and upgrade it to the level of other towns in the province. Magashule assured young unemployed people in the area, who make a living by washing cars, that the provincial government will support their small businesses to grow.

“It is good that you are doing something productive. We will make this place attractive so it can accommodate more clients,” said Magashule.

Magashule reiterated that ANC was committed to improving the lives of the poor and the unemployed. The premier said the government will clamp down on acts of violence that have dominated the area recently. There have been skirmishes between EFF and ANC supporters which have turned violent. “People have told me that they are not happy with the way things are in the area.

They told us they are being threatened by a band of young people and I have asked safety MEC Butana Komphela to follow this matter up, as the people behind these acts of anarchy are known to the community members who are scared of becoming their targets.”

After visiting individual homestead and interacting with the electorate, Magashule proceeded to the local hall where he addressed the community. He lashed out at EFF members who have been misleading the community and allegedly fermenting incidents of violence.

“We are surprised that we are being accused of not delivering services to you. We have been called names but what surprises us is that people who make these accusations are busy threatening people here. We are here today to remind you that we care about you. This ANC is yours and it is the same ANC that provides social grants and pensions for you; it builds schools and provides bursaries to your children.”

He pleaded with parents to urge their children to register to vote next year.

“As the ANC, we have set ourselves a target to garner 85 percent of the total vote in this province and we are going to get it. That will also come from the votes we are going to get from you the people of Koppies.”

The regional secretary of the ANC in the Fezile Dabi region, Moshe Tladi, told The Weekly that the ruling party is confident of a landslide victory in next year’s elections.

“No one will prevent us from conducting our campaigns, we have said it in the past that the ANC is a ruling party and if people think they have what it takes to challenge it, they should do so in the ballot box. We will continue with our campaigns to the rest of the province and we won’t be threatened by anyone.”

The residents were full of praise for the visiting ANC leadership.

“It is a good thing that we received such a pleasant and reassuring visit as we were beginning to think the ANC had abandoned us,” said Thabo Thibile.

Matshediso Kopane added: “I appeal to premier and his committee to help us because our homes are being attacked with stones. Our children are being threatened because they don’t associate themselves with hooliganism that is taking place here.”

ANC spokesperson, Thabo Meeko, slammed the actions of the EFF in the town.

“We are happy that we went ahead with our plan. Everyone who has been peddling lies about the ANC not having support in this area has been proven wrong. This has sent a clear message to the EFF that we do indeed enjoy the support of the masses here.”

ANC Women’s League provincial leader, Sisi Ntombela, said the people of Koppies have confidence in the ANC.

“We are convinced that the people of Koppies love the ANC as they promised to vote for it. I have noted that there are things that need my department’s attention and I promise to address the issues that came up during the door-to-door visits.”

Two months ago, Ngwathe Local Municipality mayor and member of the ANC PEC, Joey Mochela, was confronted by EFF who hurled insults at her. Things have since changed, however.

“It is a different story now. Everyone here understood that there were proper channels of voicing their concerns and that government operated in a specific manner. I am relieved that the community has been so understanding and accommodating when their leaders talked to them,” said Mochela.

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