'State, party programmes were conflated in Free State municipal elections'
Public Protector Thuli Madonsela has found that despite inconclusive evidence that State funds were used to benefit the ANC, there was a definite conflation of State and party in the running of the Free State government's Operation Hlasela.
The Public Protector today released a report of the use of state resources to advance party political interests.
"Regarding whether the Free State government abused state resources to advance the African National Congress since election campaign during 2011 municipal elections, I find that there is no conclusive evidence showing abuse or misuse of state resources to advance the ANC's electoral campaign during the 2011 local government elections," she said.
As part of the remedial action, Free State Premier Ace Magashule has to develop policy that will ensure the separation of sate and party at events.
(File photo)