ANC, DA get physical
2004-03-10 14:19
Cape Town - A war of words has broken out between the African National Congress and the Democratic Alliance in KwaZulu-Natal after an incident involving election posters on Tuesday night, with both parties accusing each other of assault.
In a statement on Wednesday, the ANC's provincial communications department said the party had laid charges of assault against three DA members, including "a senior DA leader who is also on the provincial candidates list".
"This comes after a fracas which ensued in Phoenix, north of Durban last night (Tuesday)," the party said.
According to the ANC, two party members were putting up election posters around 21:30 when they came across some people - allegedly DA members - who were "pulling down ANC posters".
The situation "turned nasty" when the DA members allegedly assaulted the ANC members with a wheel spanner and a hammer.
The DA members were arrested after charges of assault were laid against them, but released later when counter charges were laid.
The ANC said it planned to lodge a complaint with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).
However, in another statement on Wednesday, DA spokesperson John Steenhuisen confirmed his party had laid counter charges to the ANC in Phoenix.
"The DA rejects the ANC version of events.
"The DA workers were in the process of replacing a poster which had become detached from its backing board," he said.
While this was being done ANC members arrived and accused the DA team of removing one of their posters.
"The ANC members then instigated a scuffle and the DA workers were assaulted.
"The DA has laid charges of assault against the ANC members concerned.
"It must be noted that the ANC are at the centre of intimidation, and that by using bully boy tactics the ANC is merely trying to disrupt the DA's campaign in Phoenix," Steenhuisen said.
- SAPA