THE ANC has denied …. how many times do we hear that a week? … that its national executive committee has decided that the election will take place on March 25 2009.
The Star newspaper reported that the decision had been taken and would be put into effect by President Kgalema Motlanthe.
The March 25 date is where the smart money would be. It makes sense for the ANC, with its well established national infrastructure and funding to catch Mosiuoa Lekota’s Cope unprepared with an early date.
This denial is a little curious because, should the election date turn out to be March 25 or thereabouts, the ANC’s communications department will once more end up with egg on their faces.
Here’s what Brian Sokutu said: “Reports to the effect that the ANC has come up with a date are totally untrue.”
More: “No political party can set the date for the elections… The ANC has not done so in the past three elections. Only the IEC is charged with setting a date for the elections. The ANC will not interfere with the work of the IEC.”
Hope the poor chap’s got this one right.