First it came to light that the forum did not feature on the district (Eden) ballot papers and just a little later so-called ‘GIRF fliers’ with content attacking high ranking DA members were found in George.
Reverend Les Hayward was canvassing at Bergville retirement village during the special vote when he was shocked to see that the GIRF was not on the district ballot papers. The other two ballot papers, the ward and local ballots, did offer voters the chance to vote for the GIRF. Hayward said they did register to take part in the district, but the IEC denied this. According to the IEC the GIRF did pay for the district, but never completed their application form and also did not ask to sign off the district ballot.
The IEC made it clear that there was no chance the GIRF could take part in the proportional district elections.
This was only the start of what turned out to be a very blue Monday for the GIRF.
‘Dirty‘ fliers
The forum is taking part in its first election ever, but has already had a taste of the dirty side of poli-tics.
The party was disgusted to discover that campaign pamphlets slandering certain DA candidates have been distributed in George under the GIRF’s name.
The flyers portray three Eden DA councillors behind bars for corruption and bribery and also allege that some George councillors are racist and guilty of other crimes.
GIRF founder member, Innes Benade immediately distanced the forum from the crude pamphlet. "Our logo and name have been abused and we distance ourselves from those playing illegal and dirty party politics in an attempt to gain votes. And by the way, unlike the compiler of the pamphlet, the GIRF members can indeed spell!"
DA comment
DA councillor Flip de Swardt said the allegations on the flyer is completely untrue and libellous. "It fills me with disgust that politics in George have sunk to this level. I have already laid a charge of crimen injuria with the police."
DA speaker Daniël Maritz said he does not believe that the GIRF is responsible for the flyer. "During their election campaign they have never stooped to such a level. I think it is some one or some party who aims to turn the DA and the GOBF against each other. Both parties are victims of a smear campaign."
Maritz said his own campaign in Conville and Rosemoor went without a hitch. "I am convinced I will take the ward for the DA.
The voters are intelligent and see through those parties who take the Lord’s name in vain for political gain.
The election results will show that this strategy has backfired."
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On Monday morning Rev Les Hayward (left) discovered that the GIRF did not feature on the district ballot paper. The 81-year old Joey Smit (sitting), was the first Bergville Retirement Village resident to cast her special vote. Next to her is Mimi Mason (84) and in-house nurse Petro Nefdt.
ARTICLE AND PHOTOS: ILSE SCHOONRAAD
