DA claim that Western Cape was not in top three under ANC is wrong

South Africa’s official opposition, the Democratic Alliance or DA, recently released a report, the Western Cape Story, claiming among other things that: “According to the SA Institute of Government Auditors (SAIGA), the country’s top three government departments since 2011 have all been in the Western Cape. Under the ANC, not one department featured in the top three”.

The DA is correct to claim that Western Cape departments have occupied the top spots in the Annual Public Sector Reporting Awards since 2011. Both the 2011 and 2012 awards placed Western Cape departments in the top three positions. The Western Cape Department of Agriculture has scooped the top spot for two years running.

To check the second part of the claim, we contacted Cameron Arendse, DA leader Helen Zille’s spokesperson. He confirmed that the claim refers to the period between 2004 and 2009 when it states that: “Under the ANC, not one department featured in the top three”.

An ANC and New National Party (NNP) coalition controlled the Western Cape following the 2004 national elections. In 2005, the NNP was dissolved when its members joined the ANC during a floor crossing period.

And the DA is wrong to claim that no Western Cape departments featured in the top three positions of the awards during this period.

In the 2007 awards, the Western Cape Department of Agriculture and the Western Cape Provincial Treasury were placed second and third respectively. In the 2006 awards, the Western Cape Department of Local Government was placed second. - Africa Check 18/03/2014

• Next week Africa Check will publish a report fact-checking the DA's 2014 election claims. It forms part of an ongoing series of fact-checks focusing on major political parties and politicians ahead of the May 7 general election in South Africa.