Former SABC Chief Operations Officer (COO) Hlaudi Motsoeneng has called on residents of the Maluti-A-Phofung local municipality in the Free State province to dump the ANC in the upcoming local government elections.

Motsoeneng, now leader of the African Content Movement (ACM), accused the former governing party of turning its back on the people.

He was speaking at a party gathering in Qwaqwa on Saturday, where the ACM was mobilising its structures in preparation ahead of the polls.

Motsoeneng ripped through the ANC, blaming it for the collapse of once functioning towns like Harrismith, Kestell and the Phuthaditjaba industrial park.

“When you vote for the ANC, you are voting for problems for your own children, depriving them of a brighter future,” he told the gathering.

He said the people should vote for alternative parties like the ACM.

“We will open firms so that people can work. The Qwaqwa industrial area which did very well during the days of TK Mopeli, is now a hiding place for criminals. The reason this is happening is because the Youth are smoking nyaope every day in the absence of jobs.

“The ANC has destroyed Qwaqwa. As ACM, our enemy number one is lack of jobs. People must not depend of grants. Ramaphosa is giving you R350, is the amount a student spend daily,” he added.

Furthermore, he warned that as the former governing party gets desperate to cling to power, it would evoke the name of Nelson Mandela, telling voters not to be fooled.

He said Mandela is late, he should be allowed to rest in peace, and other Mandelas like him should be allowed to come up.