Booze banned at ANC conference
2008-08-14 14:34
Nelspruit - The police will be out in full force at the African National Congress (ANC) conference in Nelspruit this weekend.
Only invited and accredited delegates will be allowed to enter the Nelspruit showgrounds and no alcohol or weapons will be allowed on the premises.
"Those who are not part of the deliberations and were not mandated by the branches, must please stay home," said spokesperson for the Mpumalanga Organised Crime Unit, Captain Leonard Hlathi, on Thursday.
Hlathi said the ANC had also asked the police to prevent anyone from toyi-toying outside the venue or from wearing T-shirts showing the faces of the candidates.
"We request tolerance, calm and a peaceful ANC conference. The police will be vigilant and make sure that the conference is a success without any hindrances," he said.
The provincial conference will be held from Friday to Sunday at the Nelspruit show ground where a new provincial chairperson and provincial executive committee will be elected.
The provincial ANC has also issued a statement warning that unruly delegates will be subjected to breathalyser tests and possible arrest if there is any hint of drunkenness.
The tight security arrangements follow violence at three recent branch elections.
Police have arrested and charged 13 senior ANC figures with public violence, assault, and attempted murder while the ANC itself has threatened to expel anyone convicted of violence in the incidents.