Durban - The IFP accused the ANC on Wednesday of buying votes with food parcels during by-elections in Mthonjaneni, Melmoth in KwaZulu-Natal.
“We are shocked to hear that at a crèche nearby KwaGconco, food parcels were being distributed on the by-election day,” Inkatha Freedom Party national chairman Blessed Gwala said in a statement.
“This smacks of attempting to bribe voters.”
He accused the African National Congress of using state resources to campaign.
The ANC in the province denied it was bribing voters.
“The ANC is not aware of those food parcels. We did not distribute them and we don't use food parcels to campaign,” provincial secretary Sihle Zikalala said.
“We are confident that we will win the by-elections.”
Two by-elections were taking place in KwaZulu-Natal. Ward five in Mthonjaneni was being contested by the ANC, the IFP, and the National Democratic Party. The ward became vacant when the ANC councillor resigned.
The second was taking place in Ward 12 in Newcastle, northern KwaZulu-Natal. The ward was being contested by the ANC, the Congress of the People, the IFP, the National Freedom Party, and the SA Determined Volunteers.
The previous ANC councillor died.
Sapa