Canaan Mdletshe and Sapa

Canaan Mdletshe and Sapa

At least four women and two children were carried out of Durban's Chatsworth Stadium after being injured at an ANC rally.

Several other people were seen being taken to ambulances at the back of the stadium.

According to an SABC report 35 people, mainly women and children, were hurt.

The 20 000-seater venue was packed to capacity yesterday, with more than 50 buses bringing supporters from all over the province to hear party president Jacob Zuma speak.

When ANC KwaZulu-Natal secretary Senzo Mchunu invited only some supporters to sit inside the stadium's centre arena, a crowd of them pushed down part of the barricade separating them from it and stormed in.

Some people were trampled on while others were violently pushed down.

Zuma called on all South Africans to exercise their democratic right by voting for the ANC, saying it was the only party that would make their lives better. He said his government would not tolerate lazy MPs and would be tough on councillors as well.

Zuma said the vote for the ANC would be a vote for the future. He said the people would in the next few weeks have the power and authority to put in the next government of their choice.

"It is the ANC that fought for equality for all people, from all racial groups.

It is the only party that works closely with workers' movements and hence never forgets about their plights," he said.