Government facilities, offices and community buildings belong to the public and not to the ANC, said the Cope Vhembe regional chairperson, Mr Geoffrey Tshibvumo.

In a media statement, Tshibvumo expressed his party’s disappointment “by the arrogance and disrespect that is being displayed by the political leaders of Musina Municipality”. He referred to ANC campaign material that was stored at the municipal grounds under the guard of municipal security [personnel], “who are being paid by taxpayer’s money”.

He added that a similar situation also occurred at Vleifontein community hall, which is in Ward 20 of Makhado Municipality. “Political organizations must store all their campaigning material in their own yards or offices.” Tshibvumo added.

In reaction to the Cope report, the communications manager of the Musina Local Municipality, Mr Wilson Dzebu, said that municipal buildings were public facilities and they were available to any member of the public. “At any given time, we have government departments and contractors who also store their goods and vehicles in our municipal yard – as long as it does not affect service delivery. We received a request from the ANC on 14 February 2014 and granted them permission to park their trailers.”
Dzebu added that the municipality treated the ANC like any other institution requesting the use of municipal facilities. “We did not receive any request from other political parties, otherwise we would have granted them permission too,” Dzebu said.