'Rivalry, murder plot a bitter portrayal of what party has become'
Apr 4, 2011
Helen Zille characterised the ANC Monday as a party in which politicians are prepared to kill each other for power and lucrative tenders.
Helen Zille
She was speaking after reports of a police investigation into a "hit list" that allegedly marks top ruling party leaders for assassination.
On a countrywide campaign before the local government elections, Zille said she was shocked to learn of the deadly turn of events in the ANC in Eastern Cape.
"This rivalry . this murder plot is a bitter portrayal of what the party has become. They are trying to kill each other for positions and tenders," she said.
Zille was referring to the case of two municipal employees who allegedly conspired to kill five ruling party leaders, including ANC provincial secretary Oscar Mabuyane and local government MEC Mlibo Qoboshiyane.
The two employees were arrested and briefly appeared in an Mthatha court last week. They will appear for a bail application tomorrow.
Speaking at a DA rally in the Orient Theatre, East London, yesterday, Zille told the 500-strong cheering crowd that becoming a metro did not guarantee a change for the better for Buffalo City.
"Becoming a metro will not eradicate all these problems. The only way to change things here is to vote for change on May18," she said.
The former Cape Town mayor said that, "for once", the ruling party was telling the truth when Qoboshiyane admitted that the municipality was on the brink of "total collapse".
Zille said the DA was the party that truly reflected the dreams of Nelson Mandela and his concept of a rainbow nation.
On entering the hall, Zille was surrounded by a "blue wave" of supporters. Before she could reach the stage, one supporter threw himself on the ground to kiss the energetic leader's shoes.
Zille was accompanied by DA heavyweights such as Cape Town mayoral candidate Patricia de Lille, and the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, Athol Trollip.
Decked out in an African dress and blue All Star DA takkies, the Western Cape premier said the forthcoming local government elections would prove to be a "watershed moment" in South African politics.
"It will be the first time voters will have an opportunity to properly compare political parties' track records," she said.
Speaking in a mix of English, Afrikaans and Xhosa, Zille compared the state of affairs in Buffalo City with that of Cape Town.
"They [Cape Town residents] too were tired of corruption and poor service delivery under the ANC. So what did the DA do when we took power? We started by getting the basics right. And that can happen here as well," she said.
Dancing on the stage, Zille said the DA was a government party whereas the ANC was merely a government of lavish parties.
Her dance moves have received a lot of media attention, with many critics questioning her terpsichorean ability.
ANC Youth League president Julius Malema said at the weekend that Zille danced "like a monkey".
Without mentioning a name, Malema asked ANC supporters in Polokwane: "Have you ever seen an ugly woman in a blue dress dancing like a monkey because she is looking for votes?"
But the comments did not deter Zille, who had the crowd on their feet singing and shouting support as she showed off her fancy footwork.
During a business breakfast before the rally Zille defended her "moves" and said she would not "stand stiff" because dancing and singing were part of African culture.
"It is only the local elections so give us a chance ... loan us your vote for the next five years and see what we can do," Zille concluded.
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