Violence said to be sparked by the announcement of Thoko Didiza as Tshwane mayoral candidate spread across the metro last night, with about 20 City to City buses said to be torched at the Mamelodi East bus depot.
Residents told of disgruntled ANC Tshwane region members running amok blocking several main roads in the township, including Tsamaya Road, and stoning passing cars.
By last night, about 20 City to City buses were said to have been torched at the Mamelodi East bus depot.
Eye witnesses on the ground reported seeing a ball of flame lightening up the sky. Sibongiseni Mkhaliphi, a Mamelodi resident, said there were explosions as buses caught fire.
"I have not seen anything like that. There were people everywhere acting as though they are possessed, stoning anything on sight. It is scary," he said.
Mkhaliphi said police seemed to be outnumbered by the fiery protesters.
Police last night confirmed that violence had spread to the Pretoria CBD, Atteridgeville and unconfirmed reports of violence flaring up in Soshanguve and Kameeldrift.
Tshwane metro police spokesman Superintendent Isaac Mahamba said "we can confirm we have issues at Mamelodi and CBD," he said.
In Atteridgeville, supporters of out going City of Tshwane mayor Kgosientso Ramokgopa led multiple protests throughout the township.
Entrances at Seeiso and Tlou streets were closed off with burning tyres as Ramokgopa's supporters chanting that they want their leader back and not Didiza.
Other sections were chaos reigned in the outgoing mayor's home town, included Mshenguville and areas around Lucas Moripe Stadium.
Police spokesperson Captain Augustinah Selepe said neighbouring police stations within the Tshwane West cluster had been deployed to monitor the situation.
Metro Police spokesman Isaac Mahamba confirmed to Sowetan last night that several buses were torched in Atteridgeville, Mamelodi and Pretoria inner city.
Mahamba could not immediately confirm the exact number of the buses set alight.
While commending ANC in Gauteng commended Didiza's selection for mayoral candidate, the party also condemned the violence that erupted after the announcement.
"We call on the police to investigate and apprehend anybody who has endangered the lives of others through the use of violence [and] intimidation.
"The ANC remains the champion of peaceful process and upholding of our laws," said the party in a statement last night.
Didiza, a former public works minister, was nominated by the branches in the region.
The ANC has now assembled a team of its old leaders, including businessman Tiego Moseneke, Peter Maluleke and former ambassador Moss Chikane, who are to work with the regional leaders to ensure that they retain the capital city in the local government elections on August 3.
Protesters are accusing Luthuli House of interference in a process that was meant to give rank-and-file members, as well as communities, space to choose their preferred councillors and mayors.
They said Didiza was being imposed on them and that leadership would have to explain to members why.
"We cannot be told to elect the best amongst us in the area and the next thing Luthuli House decides on our behalf. Where is democracy in this?
"Comrade Didiza will still have to work with us and she will be sucked into the chaos," said a senior party member who is critical of yesterday's decision.
There has been a factional battle between ANC regional chairman and Kgosientso Ramokgopa and his deputy Mapiti Matsena over the mayoral candidacy.
The duo's bitter factional fights to lead the City of Tshwane have divided the region and cost them the city's top job as they were both overlooked.
Meanwhile, ANC members in Rustenburg, North West, came out fighting yesterday saying they did not want the Rustenburg mayoral candidate Mpho Khonou.
The ANC members who barricaded the roads yesterday said Luthuli House would not be allowed to impose a mayor for them.
They blamed premier Supra Mahumapelo for dictating who he wanted to run the municipality.
Additional reporting by Vusi Xaba and Olebogeng Molatlhwa
Violence spills over in Tshwane as people oppose Didiza move
Violence said to be sparked by the announcement of Thoko Didiza as Tshwane mayoral candidate spread across the metro last night, with about 20 City to City buses said to be torched at the Mamelodi East bus depot.
Residents told of disgruntled ANC Tshwane region members running amok blocking several main roads in the township, including Tsamaya Road, and stoning passing cars.
By last night, about 20 City to City buses were said to have been torched at the Mamelodi East bus depot.
Eye witnesses on the ground reported seeing a ball of flame lightening up the sky. Sibongiseni Mkhaliphi, a Mamelodi resident, said there were explosions as buses caught fire.
"I have not seen anything like that. There were people everywhere acting as though they are possessed, stoning anything on sight. It is scary," he said.
Mkhaliphi said police seemed to be outnumbered by the fiery protesters.
Police last night confirmed that violence had spread to the Pretoria CBD, Atteridgeville and unconfirmed reports of violence flaring up in Soshanguve and Kameeldrift.
Tshwane metro police spokesman Superintendent Isaac Mahamba said "we can confirm we have issues at Mamelodi and CBD," he said.
In Atteridgeville, supporters of out going City of Tshwane mayor Kgosientso Ramokgopa led multiple protests throughout the township.
Entrances at Seeiso and Tlou streets were closed off with burning tyres as Ramokgopa's supporters chanting that they want their leader back and not Didiza.
Other sections were chaos reigned in the outgoing mayor's home town, included Mshenguville and areas around Lucas Moripe Stadium.
Police spokesperson Captain Augustinah Selepe said neighbouring police stations within the Tshwane West cluster had been deployed to monitor the situation.
Metro Police spokesman Isaac Mahamba confirmed to Sowetan last night that several buses were torched in Atteridgeville, Mamelodi and Pretoria inner city.
Mahamba could not immediately confirm the exact number of the buses set alight.
While commending ANC in Gauteng commended Didiza's selection for mayoral candidate, the party also condemned the violence that erupted after the announcement.
"We call on the police to investigate and apprehend anybody who has endangered the lives of others through the use of violence [and] intimidation.
"The ANC remains the champion of peaceful process and upholding of our laws," said the party in a statement last night.
Didiza, a former public works minister, was nominated by the branches in the region.
The ANC has now assembled a team of its old leaders, including businessman Tiego Moseneke, Peter Maluleke and former ambassador Moss Chikane, who are to work with the regional leaders to ensure that they retain the capital city in the local government elections on August 3.
Protesters are accusing Luthuli House of interference in a process that was meant to give rank-and-file members, as well as communities, space to choose their preferred councillors and mayors.
They said Didiza was being imposed on them and that leadership would have to explain to members why.
"We cannot be told to elect the best amongst us in the area and the next thing Luthuli House decides on our behalf. Where is democracy in this?
"Comrade Didiza will still have to work with us and she will be sucked into the chaos," said a senior party member who is critical of yesterday's decision.
There has been a factional battle between ANC regional chairman and Kgosientso Ramokgopa and his deputy Mapiti Matsena over the mayoral candidacy.
The duo's bitter factional fights to lead the City of Tshwane have divided the region and cost them the city's top job as they were both overlooked.
Meanwhile, ANC members in Rustenburg, North West, came out fighting yesterday saying they did not want the Rustenburg mayoral candidate Mpho Khonou.
The ANC members who barricaded the roads yesterday said Luthuli House would not be allowed to impose a mayor for them.
They blamed premier Supra Mahumapelo for dictating who he wanted to run the municipality.
Additional reporting by Vusi Xaba and Olebogeng Molatlhwa
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