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ANC fistfight in court over councillor candidate list

An ANC supporter at the Siyanqoba Rally held at the FNB Stadium. Photo: ANTONIO MUCHAVE
An ANC supporter at the Siyanqoba Rally held at the FNB Stadium. Photo: ANTONIO MUCHAVE

Fistfights between warring ANC factions brought the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate's Court to a standstill yesterday, forcing the magistrate to abandon the courtroom and order the police's tactical response team (TRT) to restore order.

ANC Mbali branch members from two factions fighting over councillor candidates clashed inside the courtroom and had to be dragged outside.

The commotion disrupted proceedings in other courts.

Disgusted magistrate Mamsy Boikhutso abandoned the bail application of Bonginkosi Mbuyiseni Shabalala, 40, who is accused of murder.

Also read: ‘Bank robber’ tops ANC list

It is alleged Shabalala was with a group supporting Anton Mbatha as candidate councillor. The other group taking sides with the two victims - ANC branch executive committee members Badedile Ntshapha and Phetheni Ngubane - are supporting Jabulani Nene.

Yesterday's incident saw members of the two factions calling each other nasty names which led to fistfights inside the courtroom.

The court was suspended for about 30 minutes for the TRT and security guards to deal with the unruly ANC members.

The bail proceedings resumed with only a few ANC members from both factions.

Shabalala is accused of killing Ntshapha and Ngubane, who were shot dead while returning from a branch meeting in Mbali on June 8.

The attack followed the death of Edendale ANC branch chairman Nathi Hlongwa and treasurer Simo Mncwabe, who were gunned down in separate incidents on June 1.

During his bail application, Shabalala said that if granted bail he would not attempt to evade trial as he did not have a passport and has never been outside KwaZulu-Natal.

"I don't earn much as a security officer, but that which I earn I use to support my four children and contribute to my mother's upkeep," he said in his affidavit.

"I'm a responsible ANC member. Because of factionalism in my branch, two factions emerged with regard to how the August 2016 local government elections would be contested, which resulted in a certain amount of turmoil.

"I am, however, innocent and have not committed the crime of murder."

He promised not to intimidate state witnesses.

"I don't even know the identity of the state witnesses.

"It was clear that my branch was being dominated by the faction which supported Anton Mbatha as councillor in waiting."

Bail proceedings were later adjourned to tomorrow due to water shortages.

newsdesk@sowetan.co.za

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