Intimidation not widespread, ANC claims
2012-11-14 17:47
Johannesburg - The intimidation at ANC branch general meetings is not widespread, the party in Gauteng said on Wednesday.
"The ANC, MKMVA [MK Military Veterans Association], ANCYL [ANC Youth League] and ANCWL [ANC Women's League] leadership in Gauteng have amicably dealt with all incidents of disruption, violence, assaults and intimidation in... branches at Ekurhuleni, Sedibeng and [the] West Rand," spokesperson Dumisa Ntuli said in a statement.
"The ANC Gauteng is also dealing with all complaints of intimidation, procedures flouted, and incidents of assaults and disruption of meetings."
Ntuli said most of the incidents had been resolved.
Disciplinary measures would be taken against those who were responsible.
"The ANC will take action against ill-disciplined members who disrupt meetings, assault fellow members and intimidate others for nomination of leaders towards the Mangaung conference."
An armed gang reportedly stormed an ANC branch meeting in Ekurhuleni and allegedly threatened to shoot anti-Zuma supporters.
Eyewitness Sbongile Ntlonti said the gang - nine men and a woman - intimidated branch members at Rondebult, near Spruitview, The Star newspaper reported.
This was because they believed these members wanted to nominate Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe as the ruling party's new leader, instead of President Jacob Zuma.
The pro-Zuma group claimed they were from the ANC's Umkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans' Association.
Beside these few reports of violence at BGMs, Ntuli said over 300 branches in the province had held successful meetings, and the provincial nomination conference would take place as planned.
During the meetings branches nominated their preferred candidates for the ANC elective conference.
- SAPA
