ATM demands probe after volunteers say jobs were offered for ANC support in Buffalo City

The African Transformation Movement (ATM) has called for an urgent, independent inquiry after volunteers in Buffalo City said they were offered municipal jobs in exchange for swapping their ATM T-shirts for African National Congress (ANC) ones.

Allegations target EPWP appointments

ATM spokesperson Zama Ntshona told The Citizen that some volunteers across different wards were told they would be given job opportunities in the municipality if they renounced their support for the ATM. Ntshona said some of those volunteers have since received roles in the municipality’s Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP).

Formal complaint to council speaker and oversight bodies

Ntshona said the ATM will formally approach the Speaker of Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality and relevant oversight institutions to demand an investigation into allegations that municipal jobs, EPWP opportunities, assets and service-delivery programmes are being used for party-political purposes.

Concerns about systemic abuse

“The growing number of allegations across different wards raises concerns that these may not be isolated incidents, but may point to a deeper and potentially systemic blurring of the line between the governing party and the municipal administration,” Ntshona said.

“Municipal resources belong to the people, not to the ANC, the ATM or any political party. Poverty and unemployment must never become electoral currency.”

What the ATM wants investigated

The party is seeking a thorough probe into EPWP projects in Buffalo City to determine whether access to publicly funded jobs is being influenced by political considerations and whether individuals without lawful municipal authority are deciding who benefits from those contracts.

Context and responses

Buffalo City is currently under the full control of the ANC. The ATM’s complaint comes days after political parties signed an Electoral Code of Conduct drawn up by the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC).

The Citizen contacted the ANC in the Eastern Cape for comment; the party referred the matter to the ANC regional structures in Buffalo City. The article stated it would be updated when a comment was received.