Canaan Mdletshe
Canaan Mdletshe
The IFP in KwaZulu-Natal has accused the ANC in the Mbambatha region in Greytown of a "serious breach" of the Electoral Code of Conduct by allegedly preventing an IFP delegation from campaigning in the area on Sunday.
Provincial secretary Bonginkosi Buthelezi accused ANC members of defying the police as well as their own party leadership by barring them from campaigning.
He said it would be better if the military was brought into the area leading up to the elections.
"Sunday's showdown in Greytown is a serious breach of the Electoral Code of Conduct to which the ANC is a signatory.
"The incident shows, among other things, that the ANC leadership is unable to exercise control over its supporters," said Buthelezi.
He said the IFP delegation, led by the mayor of Umzinyathi district municipality, Mbangisweni Yengwa, was denied passage through Nhlakanhle township by about 500 ANC members who blocked the road and stoned IFP campaigners' cars.
"Some in the IFP delegation, including Yengwa, sustained injuries. The incident occurred in full view of the police who failed to restore order and allow the IFP delegation to pass through Nhlakanhle.
"Having received no help from the SAPS, we have reported this matter to the IEC and we expect the commission to take exemplary action against the ANC," he said.
ANC provincial secretary Senzo Mchunu condemned the incident.
He said they would ask community safety and liaison MEC Bheki Cele to deploy police in Greytown before the area could erupt into full-scale violence.
"We will speak to Cele about deployment of police in that area.
"It is the second incident to happen in a short space of time and it needs to be attended to as soon as possible," said Mchunu.
IFP reports ANC to the IEC
Canaan Mdletshe
Canaan Mdletshe
The IFP in KwaZulu-Natal has accused the ANC in the Mbambatha region in Greytown of a "serious breach" of the Electoral Code of Conduct by allegedly preventing an IFP delegation from campaigning in the area on Sunday.
Provincial secretary Bonginkosi Buthelezi accused ANC members of defying the police as well as their own party leadership by barring them from campaigning.
He said it would be better if the military was brought into the area leading up to the elections.
"Sunday's showdown in Greytown is a serious breach of the Electoral Code of Conduct to which the ANC is a signatory.
"The incident shows, among other things, that the ANC leadership is unable to exercise control over its supporters," said Buthelezi.
He said the IFP delegation, led by the mayor of Umzinyathi district municipality, Mbangisweni Yengwa, was denied passage through Nhlakanhle township by about 500 ANC members who blocked the road and stoned IFP campaigners' cars.
"Some in the IFP delegation, including Yengwa, sustained injuries. The incident occurred in full view of the police who failed to restore order and allow the IFP delegation to pass through Nhlakanhle.
"Having received no help from the SAPS, we have reported this matter to the IEC and we expect the commission to take exemplary action against the ANC," he said.
ANC provincial secretary Senzo Mchunu condemned the incident.
He said they would ask community safety and liaison MEC Bheki Cele to deploy police in Greytown before the area could erupt into full-scale violence.
"We will speak to Cele about deployment of police in that area.
"It is the second incident to happen in a short space of time and it needs to be attended to as soon as possible," said Mchunu.
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