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Political row rocks hostel

DUEL: Mthonjeni Ncayane witnessed the fighting. 16/05/09. Pic. Thuli Dlamini. © Sowetan.
DUEL: Mthonjeni Ncayane witnessed the fighting. 16/05/09. Pic. Thuli Dlamini. © Sowetan.

Mhlaba Memela

Mhlaba Memela

Fresh political turmoil has erupted between ANC and Cope members at the Glebe men's hostel in Umlazi, Durban.

Once companions, the hostel dwellers turned into arch-enemies after the elections.

It is alleged that ANC supporters want all their former comrades, who defected to Cope, to vacate the ANC-dominated hostel.

ANC members allegedly attacked Cope members onSaturday, with one man sustaining serious injuries.

The police were yesterday seen patrolling the hostel close to P Block, where sporadic fighting had erupted.

Residents said they did not want "backstabbers" in their hostel.

"These people know that no other party members are allowed here. We were together with them when we chased away IFP members in the past few years and now they are no longer part of us anymore and must move away in peace," said one angry resident.

Another resident said the former ANC members were the instigators when IFP supporters were evicted at the hostel in the past.

"They are the ones who told us that only ANC members were allowed here. These Cope people should stop crying but eat what they 'cooked' while in the ANC."

It is believed Cope members chanted slogans in the hostel, thereby infuriating ANC members and in the process a fight ensued.

Police spokesperson Director Phindile Radebe said police received a call about a fight between political parties at the hostel and deployed officers there.

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