ANC slams political intimidation

2008-11-18 14:08

Johannesburg - The ANC's top leadership on Tuesday condemned reports of political intimidation by its supporters in Verulam near Durban last week.

"The NWC [national working committee] noted reports of political intolerance over recent days. The ANC strongly condemns all forms of political intolerance, intimidation or violence," it said in a statement.

"It will act against any ANC members who are found to be engaging in such activity.

"This is a matter that the ANC will continue to monitor closely, and will take whatever steps necessary to stamp out such practices. It urges other political parties to take a similarly firm line."

The statement comes after party supporters disrupted a meeting of the breakaway Congress of the People (Cope) party in Verulam, Durban at the weekend.

Apparently ANC members had been informing of the meeting where breakaway leader Mosiuoa Lekota was expected to speak.

Concern

"The NWC expressed concern about an incident in Verulam in KwaZulu-Natal where members of an ANC branch were sent text messages inviting them to attend a meeting convened under the banner of the grouping headed by Mosiuoa Lekota and Mbhazima Shilowa.

"The ANC urges all parties to desist from provocative and opportunistic actions of this sort," the NWC said.

The Mercury Newspaper reported on Friday morning that about 50 Cope supporters had gathered at a hall to hear Lekota speak when about 200 ANC members stormed the hall in Verulam, north of Durban.

It said that the supporters, most of whom were wearing T-shirts bearing ANC president Jacob Zuma's picture and brandishing Zuma banners, burst into the hall and toyi-toyied, preventing the meeting from getting off the ground.

The ANC members, who were transported to the venue in bakkies, threw plastic chairs at the Lekota supporters and ripped Cope posters from the walls.

According to the Mercury the groups confronted one another, but senior Cope leaders, including former ANC national executive committee member Phillip Mhlongo, calmed their supporters down and prevented a fight.

Mhlongo told the Mercury that Lekota was in the immediate vicinity, but did not arrive at the hall because of the security risk.

KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Director Phindile Radebe confirmed that police had been called to ensure that calm was restored.

- SAPA