'ANCYL' revellers threaten residents
2010-01-31 23:34
Pietermaritzburg - Complaints about loud party music turned violent when a group of youths claiming to be members of the ANCYL on Friday threatened residents who'd asked them to turn down the volume.
A man who stays in the same complex approached the party-goers at about 23:30, asking them to turn down the volume as he had to work the following day.
Residents say the group became aggressive and rude and started to threatened the man.
The police were called.
This resulted in the situation getting worse.
“Some of these guys started acting violently, shouting and screaming at people, asking if we knew who they are. They said they are ANCYL members and that there was nothing that we can do to them.
“One of the group assaulted a police officer and was arrested,” said the resident on condition of anonymity.
Well connected
It is alleged that while the police were trying to calm the situation, some group members were screaming at the police saying that they were connected with high government officials.
One of the revellers instructed his friend to phone Bheki Cele and another said he was phoning the head office.
It is not clear which head office he was referring to.
“This place was packed with cars and there was lots of alcohol. That is not a problem as long as you enjoy yourself and be mindful of other people.
But if these people who were here on Friday are who they claim they are, then the ANC leadership needs to keep an eye on it’s youth wing because it is bad news,” said another resident.
The resident said people expect to see young leaders setting an example for other young people, but the behaviour displayed by those at the party on Friday reflected a negative attitude.
“It’s a good thing that one little rascal got arrested, and I commend the way the police handled the situation.
“Hopefully he will learn his lesson that political party affiliation doesn’t give one the right to infringe on other people’s rights. It also doesn’t give you immunity to the law,” she said.
Provincial deputy secretary of the league, Sboniso Duma, said he had not heard about the incident, as he was out of town.
Deliberate ploy
“I can’t say much on this because I’m out of town and I haven’t heard about it. I’ve tried to find out from other comrades but nothing came of it,” said Duma.
He said the group could be members of the youth league or could be some people who deliberately misbehaved to tarnish the name of the league.
Police spokesperson Thulani Zwane confirmed that a 30-year-old man was arrested at a party on Friday evening. He was remanded.
Zwane said the man was charged for assaulting a police officer and will appear in the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday.