African National Congress (ANC), Secretary General Fikile Mbalula has accused the Democratic Alliance (DA) of using dubious polling methods to sway public opinion against the ruling party. Addressing the media in Johannesburg on Monday, Mbalula refuted claims stemming from recent polls suggesting a sharp decline in support for the ANC, particularly those conducted by the Institute of Race Relations.
“Polls. We are not arguing with polls. But if, as newspapers, you take a DA poll and then you call it a DA poll, and then you say, the DA says no, poll says this, and I saw Helen Zille was saying that that is inaccurate. That’s what we are attacking, not polls,” Mbalula said.
His criticism is aimed not only at the DA but also at media outlets that propagate these polls, which he claims often serve as political party propaganda. Mbalula urged the media to adopt a more critical approach in scrutinising the origins and motivations behind these polls, rather than presenting them as facts. He indicated that the public deserves more than a regurgitation of DA-promoted narratives.
“It’s quite interesting that you wake up on a Sunday, a DA poll is in the front page of a newspaper. And then it says that the ANC will get 30 percent. And it comes from a particular stable. Isn’t that interesting? A reputable newspaper promoting a political party poll and saying to society, ANC will get 30 percent. What’s that? Where is your nonpartisanship?” he said.
In a passionate rebuttal to the ongoing narrative that the ANC’s support is slipping, Mbalula underscored that the party is committed to self-correction and improvement. “But the fact of the matter is that you are now becoming bland and you are frustrated, actually, that this ANC is still around. Okay? We will fight for our position,” said Mbalula.
He acknowledged the need for hard work and vigilance from party members, particularly in light of the criticisms surrounding the ANC’s internal conduct. “We’ve got to work for our people and harder. And that is why we are even hard on ourselves, even about our own behaviour by our cadres who are going way what? We are harder because we’ve got to come back.”
Mbalula’s remarks underscore an upcoming battle not only at the ballot box but also in the narrative shaping public perception.