Home » DA and ANC in Public Spat Over Tembisa Shack Fire

DA and ANC in Public Spat Over Tembisa Shack Fire

The ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC), and the opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), have entered a rather public spat over a shack fire this morning in Tembisa, Gauteng. Ramaphosa was in the area for a health walk with officials and locals, and to launch the Thuma Mina (Send Me) Campaign… when two […]

By SAPeople
18-05-18 15:51
in Eish!

The ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC), and the opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), have entered a rather public spat over a shack fire this morning in Tembisa, Gauteng.

Ramaphosa was in the area for a health walk with officials and locals, and to launch the Thuma Mina (Send Me) Campaign… when two stands in Tswelopele Ext 8 caught fire, affecting “10 informal dwellings”, according to the ANC. (Watch video below.)

Some accused the Economic Freedom Fighters of starting the fire… but journalist Matshidiso Madia said: “Some claiming the fire was started by members of the EFF, I only saw people in different party regalia, incl the ANC, EFF & DA attempting to stop the fire.”

Madia also noted that whilst “residents trying to put the fire out but it’s spreading & political leaders have moved on to their next stop”.

The DA immediately issued a media release headlined: “Ramaphosa turns his back on Tembisa fire: Abathumeki!”

Refiloe Nt’sekhe – DA National Spokesperson – said it was “dreadfully uncaring and highly hypocritical of President Cyril Ramaphosa to have turned his back on today’s Tembisa fire, as he sped away in his bullet-proof convoy while houses burnt down.”

Nt’sekhe went on to say: “While Ramaphosa was in the area to make more empty promises about services, the clearest sign of a failing ANC government revealed itself right behind him in the form of a shack fire.”

The DA called on Ramaphosa to “apologise to this community and to give them detailed timelines on when their community will receive services without delay.”

The DA also said that its councillors in Ekurhuleni would “begin efforts to help these residents with donations of food, clothing and building materials”, adding “while Mr Ramaphosa may turn his back, DA members will step in to help.”

The ANC has retorted with a strongly worded media release, headlined: “Desperate DA will stop at nothing to hog attention”.

Pule Mabe, ANC National Spokesperson, said: “The ANC has noted with disgust the desperate attempt by the DA who of late seem to stoop as low as is necessary in a poor attempt to remain relevant.”

Mabe accused the DA of misleading the nation to score “empty moral points” and claimed that what actually transpired was that Ramaphosa “immediately instructed” Ekurhuleni’s Executive Mayor to attend to the fire, stabilise the situation, and secure the safety of the families.

“The leadership of the ANC in Ekurhuleni wasted no time in attending to the situation, coordinating food parcels and blankets for the affected families.”

He pointed out that: “Emergency services arrived with 4 major pumps fire engines to put out the fire” and that the Ekurhuleni Human Settlements Department is busy with measures to ensure that the families will have a roof over their head by the end of the day.