AN ANC leader in the Free State yesterday related how he ran for cover when shots were randomly fired at branch members, allegedly by another party member, during the organisation's meeting earlier this year.
Leonard Mathobisa, an ANC ward councillor in Mokoena township, told a packed Thaba Nchu Regional Court that on February 4 he and other members of the ANC went to disrupt an uMkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans Association (MKMVA) meeting at Barolong Hall when shots were fired at them.
Mathobisa said the ANC had not granted MKMVA members permission to hold the meeting, that is why they decided to disrupt it.
"I was outside the hall when I heard gunfire coming from inside. A man with a firearm ran out," he said.
Mathobisa said he then met and greeted ANC member Mzwandile Phupha, who did not respond.
"I saw Mpho Ramakatsa holding a sword and I retreated to the gate. There I heard a second gunshot. I hid behind a motor vehicle. When I looked through the car's window I saw Phupha fire three shots at George Kale.
"Kale dived to the ground and crawled towards me. I then heard Junior Winkel screaming that he had been shot in the stomach. He fell to the ground. Phupha fired several times," he said.
A bullet is still allegedly lodged in Winkel's stomach.
Phupha, who is out on R1000 bail, has pleaded not guilty to a charge of attempted murder.
Mathobisa is deputy chairman of the ANC's Enoch Sontonga branch in Thaba Nchu. Winkel is the secretary. Phupha is a member of the Motheo region.
Phupha is also a member of the MKMVA.
Police kept a close watch in and outside the court to keep peace between the two ANC factions - one supporting Phupha and the other backing Winkel.
A barbed fence was used to keep the rival groups away from each. The trial has been postponed until February next year.
- ntwagaes@sowetan.co.za
Cops keep 'warring' ANC factions apart at FS trial
AN ANC leader in the Free State yesterday related how he ran for cover when shots were randomly fired at branch members, allegedly by another party member, during the organisation's meeting earlier this year.
Leonard Mathobisa, an ANC ward councillor in Mokoena township, told a packed Thaba Nchu Regional Court that on February 4 he and other members of the ANC went to disrupt an uMkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans Association (MKMVA) meeting at Barolong Hall when shots were fired at them.
Mathobisa said the ANC had not granted MKMVA members permission to hold the meeting, that is why they decided to disrupt it.
"I was outside the hall when I heard gunfire coming from inside. A man with a firearm ran out," he said.
Mathobisa said he then met and greeted ANC member Mzwandile Phupha, who did not respond.
"I saw Mpho Ramakatsa holding a sword and I retreated to the gate. There I heard a second gunshot. I hid behind a motor vehicle. When I looked through the car's window I saw Phupha fire three shots at George Kale.
"Kale dived to the ground and crawled towards me. I then heard Junior Winkel screaming that he had been shot in the stomach. He fell to the ground. Phupha fired several times," he said.
A bullet is still allegedly lodged in Winkel's stomach.
Phupha, who is out on R1000 bail, has pleaded not guilty to a charge of attempted murder.
Mathobisa is deputy chairman of the ANC's Enoch Sontonga branch in Thaba Nchu. Winkel is the secretary. Phupha is a member of the Motheo region.
Phupha is also a member of the MKMVA.
Police kept a close watch in and outside the court to keep peace between the two ANC factions - one supporting Phupha and the other backing Winkel.
A barbed fence was used to keep the rival groups away from each. The trial has been postponed until February next year.
- ntwagaes@sowetan.co.za
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