Durban violence: Journo's car set alight
2012-11-25 17:43
Duban - A journalist's car was set alight during political violence in KwaMashu, Durban, on Sunday.
The situation remained tense in clashes between a National Freedom Party (NFP) convoy and IFP supporters.
The car was in flames on a street lined with bystanders.
The journalist was giving a lift to two other reporters who had fled their own car, which had been pelted with stones.
"I'm traumatised," said a reporter with the Daily News, Mpume Madlala.
The journalist left Madlala and another reporter to take pictures, but was unable to return to the vehicle through the crowd.
Protesters began stoning the two reporters, who fled.
The car was doused with a five-litre container of petrol and set alight.
"I think they were intent on burning us," she said.
Police
Police deployed on the street did not intervene. They were heavily armed with shotguns and teargas.
NFP leader Zanele KaMagwaza-Msibi had been blocked from entering the KwaMashu A Section. The tail end of her convoy was stoned and shots were heard.
A group of about 200 IFP supporters blocked the entrance carrying sticks and bottles. Two people were carrying a banner bearing Inkatha Freedom Party leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi.
Protesters were ordered to disperse at the count of five, but they only moved down the road.
KaMagwaza-Msibi was visiting the area to speak to the NFP supporters in the area.
NFP spokesperson Nhlanhla Khubisa said when their supporters entered Kwamashu they saw a group of singing IFP supporters carrying pangas and sticks.
"When we were passing by our cars were stoned, windows smashed. It was a terrible situation. And a car belonging to a journalist was burnt to ashes," said Khubisa.
He said the NFP supporters were going to a hall in the hostels to prepare for the by-elections to be held on 5 December.
Police said investigations were continuing into public violence and malicious damage to property.
Colonel Vincent Mdunge said no arrests had been made yet.
- SAPA
