[WATCH] ‘We’re not buying votes,’ ANC’s Matashe says, after RDP housing backlash

The legacy of the ANC has come into question, amid suggestions that its current leadership has all but buried it in corruption and mismanagement. The latest storm to hit the party came over the weekend when ANC national chairperson Gwede Mantashe’s comments on RDP housing and the child support grant amount were seen by some to amount to emotional blackmail. Mantashe mounted a robust defence of the party’s 32 years in government, insisting that its social policies, from grants to housing and education, are about “servicing society” rather than buying votes.

“We equalised social grants for everybody, irrespective of colour, and that is an ANC policy,” Mantashe told broadcaster Newzroom Afrika. “If another party takes over, it may decide to increase that grant or do away with it. But our responsibility is to serve society.” He pointed to the ANC’s record of introducing child support grants, free schooling, and housing schemes as evidence of transformation.

“We gave these because we were fighting malnutrition. We introduced free education – government pays the fees. We put policies in place to equalise social class for everybody,” he said.

Vote buying Critics have accused Mantashe of emotional blackmail after he told voters to appreciate what the ANC has delivered. When that old lady asked me what she would get, I explained on the spot – we are not buying votes; we are servicing society.” Additional reporting by Faizel Patel ANC national chairperson Gwede Mantashe has defended his remarks and rejected assertions that his comments on RDP housing and the child support grant amount to vote-buying or emotional blackmail.

Mantashe made the remarks during a door-to-door campaign in Freedom Park over the weekend. arguing that voters should acknowledge and thank the ruling party for these interventions. The chairperson rejected criticism that the comments amounted to vote-buying or emotional blackmail, saying the ANC is “servicing society’ rather than buying votes.

A video of the incident was posted on social media, drawing widespread criticism from users. [WATCH] ANC chairperson Gwede Mantashe to a Freedom Park resident: “Do your grandchildren get a child support grant?”Resident: “Yes”Mantashe: “Who is giving them that?” pic.twitter.com/3nmYjQ46Wg— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) September 5, 2026 Defending ANC Mantashe mounted a robust defence of the party’s 32 years in government, insisting that its social policies, from grants to housing and education, are about “servicing society” rather than buying votes. But our responsibility is to serve society.” ANC’s successes He pointed to the ANC’s record of introducing child support grants, free schooling, and housing schemes as evidence of transformation.