{"id":124195,"date":"2016-05-19T13:07:15","date_gmt":"2016-05-19T11:07:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/?p=124195"},"modified":"2016-05-20T09:23:53","modified_gmt":"2016-05-20T07:23:53","slug":"the-truth-and-lies-in-the-ancs-2016-election-manifesto","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/government\/124195\/the-truth-and-lies-in-the-ancs-2016-election-manifesto\/","title":{"rendered":"The truth and lies in the ANC&#8217;s 2016 election manifesto"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The African National Congress\u2019 32-page <a href=\"http:\/\/www.anc.org.za\/docs\/manifesto\/2016\/lge-manifestou.pdf\">local government election manifesto<\/a> is titled \u201cTogether advancing people\u2019s power in every community: Local government is in your hands\u201d. In the foreword, President Jacob Zuma wrote \u00a0that the \u201cANC remains best placed, together with the people, to make qualitative change in people\u2019s lives\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Here are key claims in the manifesto about the ANC\u2019s past performance in local government that we fact-checked. (<em>Note: We aren\u2019t able to fact-check promises but will keep an eye on whether they are fulfilled.<\/em>)<\/p>\n<p>Next week we tackle the Democratic Alliance (DA) and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) manifestos.<\/p>\n<p><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Electricity-01.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-69001\" src=\"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Electricity-01.png\" alt=\"Electricity 01\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Electricity-01.png 600w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Electricity-01-300x200.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"my-4\">Electricity<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>CLAIM:\u00a0<\/strong>\u201cThe percentage of households that are connected to electricity supply increased from 69.7% in 2001 to 86% in 2014. This amounted to over 5.8 million households in 2014.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #99cc00;\">VERDICT:\u00a0mostly-correct<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>According to South Africa\u2019s 2001 Census, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.statssa.gov.za\/census\/census_2001\/census_in_brief\/CIB2001.pdf#page=84\">69.7% of households used electricity as their main energy source for lighting<\/a> then. Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) confirmed that this comprised 8,274,455 households at the time.<\/p>\n<p>(<i>Note: Stats SA\u2019s <\/i><a href=\"http:\/\/www.statssa.gov.za\/publications\/P0318\/P03182002.pdf\"><i>General Household Survey<\/i><\/a><i>, which only started in 2002, recorded that<\/i> <i>77.1% of households \u2013 a total of 8,319,918 households \u2013 had access to electricity in that year.<\/i>)<\/p>\n<p>The latest data from Stats SA\u2019s General Household Survey <a href=\"http:\/\/www.statssa.gov.za\/publications\/P0318\/P03182014.pdf#page=13\">confirms that 86% of households<\/a> (a total of 13,403,107) in South Africa were connected to electricity supply in 2014. The number is therefore more than double the figure of 5.8 million in the ANC\u2019s manifesto.<\/p>\n<p>What needs to be kept in mind is that the number of households connected does not reflect the quality of the service. The 2014 General Household Survey <a href=\"http:\/\/www.statssa.gov.za\/publications\/P0318\/P03182014.pdf#page=40\">found that 66.5%<\/a> of households rated the quality of electricity services as \u201cgood\u201d.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Read:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/africacheck.org\/reports\/zuma-wrong-on-household-electricity-about-50-of-homes-had-access-in-1994\/\">Zuma wrong on household electricity. About 50% of homes had access in 1994<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>CLAIM:\u00a0<\/strong>\u201c\u2026figures show that 2,048,052 households benefited from indigent support systems for electricity in 2014.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">VERDICT:\u00a0correct<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Indigent refers to \u201chouseholds that qualify to receive some or all basic services for free because they have no income or low income\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Statistics SA\u2019s <a href=\"http:\/\/www.statssa.gov.za\/publications\/P9115\/P9115June2014.pdf#page=41\">non-financial census of municipalities<\/a> for the year ending June 2014 confirmed that 2,048,052 indigent households had received assistance for electricity, out of the 3,482,260 identified indigent households across South Africa.<\/p>\n<p>The recommended amount is 50 kWh per household per month \u2013 enough for basic lighting, to power a small black and white TV, a small radio and to do \u201cbasic ironing and basic water boiling\u201d, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.energy.gov.za\/files\/faqs\/faqs_freebasic.html\">according to the department of energy<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>However, Earthlife Africa, a non-profit organisation, has argued that 50 kWh <a href=\"http:\/\/earthlife.org.za\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/Free-Basic-Electricity-Final-Low-res.pdf#page=7\">is not sufficient<\/a> and, in 2010, proposed a quantity of 200 kWh.<\/p>\n<p>In 2014\/15, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nersa.org.za\/Admin\/Document\/Editor\/file\/Electricity\/PricingandTariffs\/NERSA%20report%20on%20the%20National%20Free%20Basic%20Electricity%20for%202015-2016%20financial%20year.pdf#page=7\">154 municipalities supplied 50 kWh<\/a> and a further 18 quantities of between 60 kWh and 250 kWh.<\/p>\n<p><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Water-drip.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-103729\" src=\"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Water-drip.png\" alt=\"Water drip\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Water-drip.png 600w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Water-drip-300x200.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"my-4\">Water<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>CLAIM:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cBetween 2001 and 2014, the percentage of households with access to piped water increased from 61.3% in 2001 to 90% in 2014.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">VERDICT:\u00a0misleading<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The 61.3% in the ANC manifesto seems to indicate only the share of households with piped water in their dwellings (32.3%) and in their yards (29%), as found by South Africa\u2019s <a href=\"http:\/\/www.statssa.gov.za\/census\/census_2001\/census_in_brief\/CIB2001.pdf#page=92\">2001 Census<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>However, the figure of 90% in 2014 includes communal taps and neighbours\u2019 taps, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.statssa.gov.za\/publications\/P0318\/P03182014.pdf#page=13\">Stats SA\u2019s General Household Survey<\/a> shows.<\/p>\n<p>The ANC is therefore not comparing like with like in its manifesto.<\/p>\n<p>If we include communal and neighbours\u2019 taps as water sources with the 2001 Census data <a href=\"http:\/\/www.statssa.gov.za\/census\/census_2001\/census_in_brief\/CIB2001.pdf#page=92\">the comparable figure would be 84.5%<\/a>.\u00a0If we excluded communal and neighbours\u2019 taps from the 2014 data the comparable figure would be 73.3% \u2013 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.statssa.gov.za\/publications\/P0318\/P03182014.pdf#page=13\">46.3% in dwellings and a further 27% on site<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>(<i>Note: By the time of publication, Stats SA had not yet confirmed whether census data is comparable with the General Household Survey. The latter started in 2002 <\/i><a href=\"http:\/\/www.statssa.gov.za\/publications\/P0318\/P03182014.pdf#page=43\"><i>when 82.8% of households had access to piped water<\/i><\/a><i> in their dwellings and yards or at communal and neighbours\u2019 taps.<\/i>)<\/p>\n<p>Again, having access to piped water does not reflect the quality of the service. The <a href=\"http:\/\/www.statssa.gov.za\/publications\/P0318\/P03182014.pdf#page=13\">General Household Survey<\/a> also found that 61.4% of households nationally rated water-related services as \u201cgood\u201d in 2014 \u2013 a decline from 76.4% in 2005, the first time this question was included.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>CLAIM<\/strong>:\u00a0\u201cThe proportion of households benefiting from free basic water services increased dramatically between 2007 and 2013. Households receiving free basic water services increased from 7,225,287 in 2007 to 11,794,526 in 2013.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">VERDICT:\u00a0incorrect<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Stats SA says <a href=\"http:\/\/www.statssa.gov.za\/publications\/P0318\/P03182014.pdf#page=71\">free basic water<\/a> \u201cis an amount of water determined by government that should be provided free to poor households to meet basic needs\u201d. It is set at 6 kilolitres a month per household and should be available within 200 metres of where the household lives.<\/p>\n<p>Statistics from the 2007 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.statssa.gov.za\/publications\/P9115\/P9115June2007.pdf#page=12\">non-financial census of municipalities<\/a> show that 7,281,862 consumer units received free basic water services at the time.<\/p>\n<p>A <a href=\"http:\/\/www.statssa.gov.za\/publications\/P9115\/P9115June2013.pdf#page=44\">consumer unit<\/a> is an \u201centity to which the service is delivered, and which receives one bill if the service is billed\u201d. A block of flats, for example, could represent one consumer unit but multiple households.<\/p>\n<p>This figure reduced to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.statssa.gov.za\/publications\/P9115\/P9115June2013.pdf#page=12\">5,269,475 in 2013<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.statssa.gov.za\/publications\/P9115\/P9115June2014.pdf#page=12\">4,633,999 in 2014<\/a>, according to the non-financial census of municipalities \u2013 significantly lower than the number contained in the ANC manifesto.<\/p>\n<p>The decrease between 2007 and 2013 is the result of municipalities initially aiming to provide free basic water services to all households, Stats SA media relations officer Madimetja Mashishi explained to Africa Check. However, budget constraints have led them to narrow their goal to only providing for indigent households.<\/p>\n<p>It appears that the figure of 11,794,526 refers to the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.statssa.gov.za\/publications\/P9115\/P9115June2013.pdf#page=10\">delivery of water services<\/a> to all consumer units in 2013, whether paid or free. It has been incorrectly used to indicate the delivery of<i> free<\/i> basic water services.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"my-4\">Sanitation<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>CLAIM:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cBetween 2002 and 2014, the ANC government increased access to basic sanitation services from 62.3% to 79.5%.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">VERDICT:\u00a0correct<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Stats SA\u2019s General Household Survey confirms that the number of households with access to \u201cRDP standard\u201d sanitation services <a href=\"http:\/\/www.statssa.gov.za\/publications\/P0318\/P03182014.pdf#page=13\">did increase from 62.3% in 2002 to 79.5% in 2014<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.statssa.gov.za\/publications\/P0318\/P03182014.pdf#page=48\">RDP standard<\/a> refers to \u201cflush toilets connected to a public sewerage system or a septic tank, and a pit toilet with a ventilation pipe\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>However, the report <a href=\"http:\/\/www.statssa.gov.za\/publications\/P0318\/P03182014.pdf#page=50\">highlights the inadequate nature of some of the sanitation services<\/a>. Problems with \u201cpoor lighting\u201d were experienced by a quarter of the households as well as \u201cpoor hygiene\u201d, while close to two in ten \u201cfelt that their physical safeties were threatened when using the toilet\u201d.<\/p>\n<p><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Trash-e1460018878510.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-new-size wp-image-119363\" src=\"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Trash-640x443.jpg\" alt=\"Trash\" width=\"640\" height=\"443\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"my-4\">Refuse removal<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>CLAIM:\u00a0<\/strong>&#8220;In 2001, 55.4% of households had access to refuse removal and collection. By 2012, households having access to these services increased by 7.1% to reach 62.5% and further increased to 64% in 2014.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #99cc00;\">VERDICT:\u00a0mostly-correct<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>South Africa\u2019s 2001 Census showed that <a href=\"http:\/\/www.statssa.gov.za\/census\/census_2001\/census_in_brief\/CIB2001.pdf#page=105\">55.4% of households had access to refuse removal<\/a> at least once a week while data from the General Household Survey shows <a href=\"http:\/\/www.statssa.gov.za\/publications\/P0318\/P03182014.pdf#page=13\">an increase to 64% in 2014<\/a>, the same percentage <a href=\"http:\/\/www.statssa.gov.za\/publications\/P0318\/P03182012.pdf#page=12\">it was in 2012<\/a>. (<i>Note: In 2013, it had dropped slightly <\/i><a href=\"http:\/\/www.statssa.gov.za\/publications\/P0318\/P03182013.pdf#page=14\"><i>to 63.5%<\/i><\/a>.)<\/p>\n<p>(<i>Note: By the time of publication, Stats SA had not yet confirmed whether census data is comparable with the General Household Survey. The latter started in 2002 <\/i><a href=\"http:\/\/www.statssa.gov.za\/publications\/P0318\/P03182014.pdf#page=13\"><i>when 56.7% of households had access to refuse removal and collection<\/i><\/a><i>.<\/i>)<\/p>\n<p>While the proportion has increased, the report showed that \u201chouseholds in urban areas were much more likely to receive some rubbish removal service than those in rural areas, and rural households were therefore much more likely to rely on their own rubbish dumps\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>A total of 90.5% of households in rural areas <a href=\"http:\/\/www.statssa.gov.za\/publications\/P0318\/P03182014.pdf#page=52\">discarded refuse themselves<\/a>. The comparable figure for urban households was 10.7% and 5.1% for metropolitan areas.<\/p>\n<p><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Health.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-102907\" src=\"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Health.png\" alt=\"Health\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Health.png 600w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Health-300x200.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"my-4\">Health<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>CLAIM:\u00a0<\/strong>\u201cAverage life expectancy increased from 53.4 years in 2004 to 62.5 years in 2015.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #99cc00;\">VERDICT:\u00a0mostly-correct<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Stats SA releases population statistics annually in its <a href=\"http:\/\/www.statssa.gov.za\/?page_id=1866&amp;PPN=P0302&amp;SCH=6334\">mid-year population estimates<\/a>. The 2015 report confirms that life expectancy <a href=\"http:\/\/www.statssa.gov.za\/publications\/P0302\/P03022015.pdf#page=7\">has risen from 53.4 years in 2004 to 62.5 years in 2015<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Life expectancy for women (64.3 years) is higher than that for men (60.6 years).<\/p>\n<p>Deputy executive director at the Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute, Francois Venter, <a href=\"https:\/\/africacheck.org\/reports\/has-president-jacob-zumas-government-done-a-good-job\">has previously told Africa Check<\/a> that the general consensus was that life expectancy in South Africa had been driven up by the rollout of antiretroviral therapy.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>CLAIM:\u00a0<\/strong>\u201c\u2026in 2002, the infant mortality rate was 51.2 babies per 1,000 live births. In 2015, infant mortality rate decreased to 34.4 deaths per 1,000 live births.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #008000;\">VERDICT:\u00a0correct<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"http:\/\/www.statssa.gov.za\/publications\/P0302\/P03022015.pdf#page=7\">mid-year population estimates<\/a> for 2015 confirms a decrease in the infant mortality rate from 51.2 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2002 to 34.4 per 1,000 in 2015. Infants refer to babies <a href=\"http:\/\/mdgs.un.org\/unsd\/mdg\/Metadata.aspx?IndicatorId=0&amp;SeriesId=562\">younger than one year<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>However, according to the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.statssa.gov.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/MDG_October-2013.pdf#page=64\">millennium development goals<\/a> \u201cthe internationally set target\u2026 is a two-thirds reduction in child mortality between 1990 and 2015.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>South Africa\u2019s target therefore was to reduce the infant mortality rate to 18 deaths per 1,000 by 2015, which has not been met.<\/p>\n<p>Dr Neil McKerrow, head of paediatrics and child health in the department of health in KwaZulu-Natal, said a number of factors could have contributed to the country\u2019s failure to meet the target, including South Africa\u2019s late response to HIV and poor access to care. The latter does not only refer to geographic access \u201cbut the quality of the service and how this discourages mothers returning when they have had a bad previous experience\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>He said South Africa had chosen the right programmes to reduce child mortality \u201cbut the coverage and quality of implementation of these programmes is poor\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>McKerrow added: \u201cAt national level maternal and child mortality are recognised priorities but at the coalface clinicians and facility managers are faced with the full spectrum of health conditions \u2013 not just the priority conditions \u2013 and without ring-fenced funds are not able to take from one area to cater for another.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><em>This article was first published on Africa Check \u2013 see the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/africacheck.org\/reports\/is-the-anc-advancing-peoples-power-we-fact-check-key-election-claims\/\">original here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"my-4\">More by Africa Check<\/h3>\n<p><strong><a title=\"Permalink to 400,000 \u201cpoor whites\u201d in South Africa a myth: Africa Check\" href=\"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/general\/120865\/400000-poor-whites-in-south-africa-a-myth-africa-check\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">400,000 \u201cpoor whites\u201d in South Africa a myth: Africa Check<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><a title=\"Permalink to SONA debate 2016: Who got their facts right and who got it wrong\" href=\"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/government\/113358\/sona-debate-2016-who-got-their-facts-right-and-who-got-it-wrong\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">SONA debate 2016: Who got their facts right and who got it wrong<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><a title=\"Permalink to Is SA the most corrupt country in Africa?\" href=\"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/general\/107863\/is-sa-the-most-corrupt-country-in-africa\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Is SA the most corrupt country in Africa?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><a title=\"Permalink to One in four South Africans are obese: research\" href=\"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/lifestyle\/93490\/one-in-four-south-africans-are-obese-research\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">One in four South Africans are obese: research<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The ANC rules the majority of South Africa\u2019s municipalities &#8211; ahead of the local government election on 3 August, Africa Check fact-checked key claims in their manifesto.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":40,"featured_media":122533,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[1875,26],"class_list":["post-124195","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-government","tag-anc","tag-headline"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/124195","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/40"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=124195"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/124195\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":124325,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/124195\/revisions\/124325"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/122533"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=124195"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=124195"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=124195"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}