Johannesburg -
Political parties across South Africa pulled out all the stops on Monday, in the final days of electioneering ahead of the May 7 elections.
The Democratic Alliance leader Helen Zille and DA Gauteng premier candidate Mmusi Maimane launched the party's second “Ayisafani” TV advert in Mamelodi, east of Pretoria, after the first was pulled by the SABC which cited possible incitement as its reason.
Zille told people gathered in Pretoria that the advert told the real story of how the party was growing and why the African National Congress was “worried” about the DA in the upcoming elections.
Meanwhile, Tshwane Mayor Kgosientso Ramokgopa was expected to hand out blankets to the elderly in Atteridgeville.
Monday is a public holiday in the country after Sunday marked the anniversary of 20 years since South Africans voted in their first democratic election.
United Democratic Movement (UDM) leader Bantu Holomisa was campaigning at Centenary Hall, in Port Elizabeth.
Congress of the People (Cope) president Mosioua Lekota campaigned in Upington, in the Northern Cape where he told people he would not promise them gifts or tell them good stories but would tell the truth.
Lekota said lies were being told and public funds were being abused.
“Where is our money? We must use forensic audits to find the money that has been stolen. There are no mice in the bank that is eating the money. If you give us the mandate, we will make sure that your money is used to deliver services to you.”
Lekota also went to Groblershoop where he handed over the bicycle he used during the Cape Argus Cycle Tour to Jacob Jaers whose own bicycle was damaged while he was campaigning for Lekota in a by-election last year, according to his communications team.
Mbhazima Shilowa, who had a fallout with Lekota over who the rightful leader of Cope is, has decided to campaign with the UDM.
ANC general secretary Gwede Mantashe was expected to campaign in the Northern Cape at the Ubuntu Municipality and former ANC Youth League (ANCYL) president and now Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema moved his party's campaigning to Mpumalanga.
He was expected to speak at a Kwaggafontein community meeting.
Former ANCYL president Fikile Mbalula was expected to resume his weekend of door-to-door visits in Umlazi.
On Sunday, Mbalula was reportedly evacuated from an election rally at Freedom Park in North West on Sunday when Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union members turned violent.
Also campaigning in Umlazi was Inkatha Freedom Party leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi and his party's national executive committee leaders.
ANC deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa was expected to campaign in Pietermaritzburg where he would address an intercultural festival. - Sapa