Paragraph 1: The Formal Complaint to the IEC
In a dramatic and decisive escalation of political tensions within South Africa’s administrative capital, ActionSA has formally lodged a comprehensive complaint with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) against Mr. Kgoši Maepa, a prominent figure within the African National Congress (ANC). The complaint, made public today, centers on what ActionSA describes as a “series of repeated acts of disinformation” deliberately targeting Dr. Nasiphi Moya, the Executive Mayor of Tshwane. The party contends that Maepa’s sustained campaign of falsehoods represents a calculated attempt to manipulate public perception and unduly influence the outcome of the upcoming municipal elections. This action marks a significant moment in the local political landscape, as it formally draws the independent electoral authority into a bitter partisan dispute. ActionSA’s leadership, including senior party officials, expressed their deep concern over the integrity of the electoral process, asserting that the spread of malicious falsehoods constitutes a grave threat to democratic norms. The complaint meticulously outlines a pattern of behavior dating back several weeks, alleging that Maepa has not merely engaged in robust political criticism, but has deliberately fabricated evidence and peddled outright lies to besmirch the mayor’s reputation. The party has made it unequivocally clear that this is not a matter of differing political opinions, but a clear-cut violation of established electoral law and ethical standards. By taking this formal step, ActionSA aims to hold Maepa accountable for his actions and to send a strong signal that such tactics will not be tolerated in the Tshwane political arena, particularly as the nation gears up for a fiercely contested election period.
Paragraph 2: Legal Grounds and the Pursuit of Criminal Charges
The legal foundation of ActionSA’s complaint rests on a robust interpretation of the Local Government: Municipal Electoral Act, 2000, specifically citing Section 69(2). This section explicitly prohibits the publication of false information with the deliberate intention of influencing the outcome of a municipal election. ActionSA argues that Kgoši Maepa’s actions fall squarely within this prohibition, constituting a direct and egregious breach of the statutory framework designed to safeguard electoral integrity. Furthermore, the party has announced its intention to pursue criminal charges against Maepa, moving beyond the administrative remedies available through the IEC. This dual-track approach—simultaneously seeking an IEC investigation and preparing a criminal case—underscores the seriousness with which ActionSA views this matter. The party’s legal team has indicated that they possess substantial documentary evidence to support their claim, demonstrating a clear causal link between Maepa’s publications and an intent to mislead voters. The penalties for contravening this specific section of the Act are severe, including the possibility of a substantial fine or a term of imprisonment not exceeding ten years. ActionSA’s decision to invoke criminal sanctions highlights their belief that Maepa’s conduct transcends mere political mudslinging and enters the realm of criminality. This development places Maepa in a precarious legal position, and the party has vowed to ensure that the full weight of the law is applied. The move also serves as a warning to other political actors that the deliberate spread of disinformation will be met with serious legal consequences, setting a precedent for accountability in the run-up to the elections.
Paragraph 3: The Fabricated Corruption Allegations
The genesis of the complaint lies in a series of damaging allegations that emerged in early August, claiming that Tlopo Construction, a firm reportedly doing business with the City of Tshwane, had undertaken renovations and work at Mayor Moya’s private residence. These allegations, which were aggressively shopped around to various media outlets as far back as July, were clearly designed to portray the mayor as corrupt and benefiting improperly from municipal contracts. However, Mayor Moya acted swiftly and decisively to dispel these rumors, providing journalists with concrete evidence demonstrating that the work on her home was not carried out by Tlopo Construction. Furthermore, she produced verifiable proof that all costs associated with the property work were paid for entirely from her personal funds, completely negating any suggestion of impropriety or the misuse of public monies. Despite this factual rebuttal, Kgoši Maepa refused to retract his statements. Instead, he escalated his campaign by sharing multiple posts on his social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), reiterating the false accusations of corruption against Mayor Moya. In a particularly egregious tactic, Maepa resorted to using advanced technology to further his deceit, sharing what he purported to be WhatsApp conversations between the Mayor and a representative of the construction company. These conversations, however, were entirely fabricated using Artificial Intelligence tools. The use of AI to create false evidence represents a dangerous new frontier in political disinformation, designed to give his lies an air of authenticity, a tactic that ActionSA has condemned in the strongest possible terms.
Paragraph 4: A Checkered History of Malicious Conduct
ActionSA’s complaint against Kgoši Maepa is not based on an isolated incident but rather on a discernible pattern of behavior that reveals a troubling history of engaging in falsehoods and supporting controversial figures. The party’s statement highlights Maepa’s well-documented support for the fugitive preacher Shepherd Bushiri, indicating a propensity to align himself with individuals who have been accused of serious crimes. Moreover, the complaint references Maepa’s previous enthusiastic promotion of a falsified rehabilitation certificate that purported to clear the late Tshwane mayor Murun Makwarela of an insolvency finding. This earlier incident showcased Maepa’s willingness to accept and propagate fraudulent documentation when it served his political purposes, further eroding any credibility he might have claimed. The pattern continued in May 2024, when Maepa made entirely baseless claims that the coalition government leading Tshwane had deliberately switched off the city’s power supply as a form of electoral sabotage. He also made sweeping and unsubstantiated accusations that other political parties had misused state resources to fund their election campaigns. These repeated instances of misinformation, often designed to destabilize the political landscape and undermine the legitimacy of the current administration, paint a clear picture of a serial purveyor of disinformation. ActionSA argues that this consistent modus operandi transforms Maepa from a legitimate political opponent into a malicious actor whose primary objective is to undermine electoral confidence through deliberate lies and fabricated evidence.
Paragraph 5: The Mayor’s Tangible Record of Achievement
The timing and nature of Maepa’s malicious campaign are particularly telling when examined against the backdrop of Dr. Nasiphi Moya’s actual performance as Executive Mayor of Tshwane. In less than two years in office, Mayor Moya has overseen a remarkable and tangible turnaround in the city’s fortunes, directly contradicting the narrative of corruption and incompetence that Maepa and the ANC are attempting to peddle. Under her leadership, the City of Tshwane has achieved financial stabilization, moving from a state of precarity to one of growing fiscal health. This stability has led to an improvement in the city’s credit ratings from major agencies, a testament to the sound financial management of her administration. Furthermore, the city has successfully reduced its crippling debt to Eskom, ensuring a more reliable power supply for residents and businesses. The Auditor-General’s reports now reflect a marked improvement in governance and financial accountability, a significant achievement for any metropolitan municipality. Infrastructure spending has been increased to its highest levels in a decade, with a significant focus on addressing the maintenance backlog. A notable expansion of the metro police force has also been initiated, enhancing public safety across the city’s precincts. Moreover, over 400 kilometers of roads have been resurfaced under her watch, addressing a long-standing complaint from commuters. It is precisely this record of success that makes Moya a formidable political figure and a threat to the ANC’s traditional dominance in the region, providing a clear motive for the desperate smear campaign orchestrated by Maepa.
Paragraph 6: A Warning and a Stand for Electoral Integrity
As the election season reaches its peak, ActionSA has framed this confrontation with Kgoši Maepa and the ANC as a critical test case for the integrity of South Africa’s democratic processes. The party has issued a stark warning that there are consequences for engaging in such underhanded tactics, asserting that they are “going to learn that there are consequences for these kinds of actions.” ActionSA has pledged to provide the IEC with all necessary evidence and to cooperate fully with any investigation, while simultaneously moving forward with the preparation of criminal charges. This robust stance is intended to protect not only Mayor Moya but also the broader sanctity of the electoral system from the corrupting influence of digital disinformation and fabricated scandals. By taking this stand, ActionSA aims to reassure the electorate that they can trust in the transparency and fairness of the electoral process, despite efforts by certain quarters to undermine it. The party stands resolutely behind Dr. Moya, lauding her for her composed and evidence-based response to the malicious attacks. This episode serves as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by the proliferation of false information in the digital age, where sophisticated tools like AI can be weaponized to deceive voters. ActionSA’s decisive action signals a new era of political accountability, where the deliberate spread of lies is met with the full force of the law, ensuring that the cities of South Africa are governed based on truth and the genuine will of the people, not on the foundations of fabricated fiction and malicious deceit.