The EFF has condemned ActionSA and the DA for considering the use of polygraph tests on Tshwane councillors, calling it “inhumane” and alleging it could trigger assassinations and destabilisation.
EFF Tshwane chairperson Obakeng Ramabodu called on the Tshwane speaker to involve the South African Local Government and Association (Salga) and the Electoral Commission of SA (IEC) to protect the councillors.
In a statement on Friday, Ramabodu urged councillors “to act” if ActionSA and the DA proceeded with the “morally inappropriate” process.
“For the protection of the municipal council, Tshwane EFF is opposed to any measures available to probe the dynamics of personal discretion in the secret ballot process. Even if the DA and ActionSA can go as far as procuring, Tshwane EFF will remain vehemently opposed to the abuse of secret ballot outcomes,” he said.
News24 reported on Wednesday that the DA and its coalition partners, ActionSA and the Freedom Front Plus, were considering using polygraphs to identify eight councillors who voted with the ANC and the EFF to ensure the election of Cope member Murunwa Makwarela as Tshwane mayor. This happened despite the coalition partners agreeing on the DA’s Cilliers Brink as their candidate for the position.
According to municipal regulations, councillors have the power to elect an office bearer through a secret ballot if more than one candidate accepts the nomination.