ANC members 'were drunk'

2009-01-03 22:19

Johannesburg - Police in Mpumalanga had to be called to restore order at a Congress of the People meeting in Mbuzini after ANC members stormed the venue on Saturday, they said.

Superintendent Abie Khoabane said about 50 African National Congress members went to the Samora Machel hall on Saturday, demanding use of the venue.

"Order was however restored and Cope managed to continue with their meeting," he said.

Cope spokesperson John Nkuna said they were about to start proceedings to establish a branch and canvass support when ANC members, clad in party colours and driving cars with "Vote ANC placards" stormed their venue.

"I'm very disappointed... I could see some of them were drunk. Had police officers at the venue not called for enforcement I don't know what would have happened," Nkuna said.

He said a similar meeting in Acornhoek was disrupted around lunch-time by alleged unruly ANC members who pulled down a marquee set up to accommodate Cope supporters.

ANC spokesperson Ishmael Mnisi said he did not have knowledge of the incidents but said the party will investigate and take action should the claims be found to be true.

"As the ANC we are against any form of disruption by our members against any political organisation. It is totally uncalled for and we condemn such action.

"The president [Jacob Zuma] has repeatedly spoken to such people... telling them not to disrupt other parties' meetings even if they don't agree with such political parties," Mnisi said.

He however cautioned against labelling people who disrupt other parties' meetings and rallies as ANC members, saying there was a "difference between supporters and members".

"Did they see those people's cards to verify if they are indeed ANC members? Wearing a T-shirt doesn't necessarily make one an ANC member," he said.

Mnisi said action will be taken against those found to be ANC members.

If found to be merely T-shirt-wearing supporters, Mnisi said: "Unfortunately what we can say is that we are against what they did."

- SAPA