Youth angry at Zuma's absence

2005-06-21 12:16

Durban - Chanting the name of sacked former Deputy President Jacob Zuma, KwaZulu-Natal youths demanded that he be brought to address their Youth Day rally at the Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu on Thursday.

They quietened down only after being told that "no matter how loudly they shout, he (Zuma) cannot address them," because he was at another rally in Mpumalanga, said KwaZulu-Natal Youth Commission chairman, Nhlakanitho Ntombela.

Reports that the youths then pelted premier S'bu Ndebele with apples, oranges and stones were categorically denied by his spokesman, Harry Mchunu.

"There was nothing like that," he said.

The rally was organised by the youth commission under the premier's office, said Ntombela. It started at 11.30.

He said that while many of the youths carried African National Congress (ANC) flags, about 100 of them came to the rally wearing Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) regalia.

He had to explain to the crowd from the stage that the rally was one of the provincial government and not of the IFP, ANC or any other political party.

"At a government event, we welcome everybody," said Ntombela, who went on to deny reports of clashes between these ANC and IFP supporters.

"There were no incidents that I am aware of," he said.

Police on the scene had told him the situation was under control and there was nothing to be worried about, he continued.

KwaZulu-Natal police spokesman Director Bala Naidoo told Sapa he had received reports only of orange peels being thrown from the top of a gateway leading out of the stadium.

"We don't know if it was done with any intent," he said. "There was nothing after that."

Naidoo said some people had thought there were clashes, but these had turned out to be merely people running for their buses after the event.

- SAPA