A RIOT erupted in Duncan Village on Sunday night, allegedly after tensions boiled over at an ANC meeting in Ward 2.
Angry residents barricaded a road into the township and stoned passing cars, verbally abused drivers and stole vehicles that were abandoned in the chaos.
Duncan Village police spokesman Captain Stephen Marais said the road outside Gompo Hall was barricaded with burning tyres and trash.
He said more than 50 people were involved in the riot but it was hard to give an exact number as many had positioned themselves behind houses to throw stones.
The smoke from burning tyres also reduced visibility.
Marais expects public violence to increase in the lead-up to the 2014 elections.
“As it gets closer to the elections we’ll be on our guard in Duncan Village,” Marais said.
An ANC branch meeting had been called to elect delegates for the upcoming list conference in preparation for next year’s election.
According to community members, tensions exploded between those in favour of Ward 2 ANC councillor Mlandeli Mateke and those who opposed him.
When the Dispatch contacted Mateke for comment he claimed to be unaware of the riot in his ward and the call ended.
ANC member Nonele Wongama said the meeting erupted in chaos when a pro-Mateke woman smashed a bottle on a man’s head.
The man, who asked not to be named, showed his wound to the Dispatch and said he had been rushed to hospital.
Buffalo City Metro deputy regional ANC chairman Xola Pakati was deployed to preside over the meeting, which was held in Gompo Hall.
He denied there was any outbreak of violence during the meeting, saying there was only a “misunderstanding among members over who should preside over the meeting”. Pakati denied the meeting ended as a result of the violence.
“The meeting was adjourned on the basis of the misunderstanding. We will resolve these matters internally with the members,” he said.
Pakati also denied the meeting had anything to do with Makete. “The councillor’s did not come up, as this meeting had nothing to do with ,” he said.
Pakati added that it was “normal” for ANC members not to understand the internal processes, but the ANC would resolve the issues.
The Dispatch went to the scene of the riot yesterday. The main road was badly damaged and remnants of burnt tyres and trash were still there.
Wongama said once the meeting was halted, she left her roadside home near Gompo Hall to visit her cousin until the situation calmed down.
Then she received a call saying people were toyi-toyiing outside her house. Wongama, who supports Makete, rushed back to find children stacking rubbish against the walls of her house – allegedly preparing to set it alight.
She called the police, who eventually arrived and soon settled everything down.
Marais said drivers who tried to get around the barricade found their vehicles were stoned or they were attacked by rioters, and some vehicles were even stolen.
He said he could not specify how many cars had been damaged or people injured, because no one had contacted the police station yet.
Marais said community members had begun using children to construct the barricades and set them alight.
“The residents do this because they know we can’t fire rubber bullets at children,” Marais said.
He added that the violence of the community members was eventually tempered by other residents, who calmed the situation. — michelles@dispatch.co.za
Rioting in DV streets after ANC meeting
Angry residents barricaded a road into the township and stoned passing cars, verbally abused drivers and stole vehicles that were abandoned in the chaos.
Duncan Village police spokesman Captain Stephen Marais said the road outside Gompo Hall was barricaded with burning tyres and trash.
He said more than 50 people were involved in the riot but it was hard to give an exact number as many had positioned themselves behind houses to throw stones.
The smoke from burning tyres also reduced visibility.
Marais expects public violence to increase in the lead-up to the 2014 elections.
“As it gets closer to the elections we’ll be on our guard in Duncan Village,” Marais said.
An ANC branch meeting had been called to elect delegates for the upcoming list conference in preparation for next year’s election.
According to community members, tensions exploded between those in favour of Ward 2 ANC councillor Mlandeli Mateke and those who opposed him.
When the Dispatch contacted Mateke for comment he claimed to be unaware of the riot in his ward and the call ended.
ANC member Nonele Wongama said the meeting erupted in chaos when a pro-Mateke woman smashed a bottle on a man’s head.
The man, who asked not to be named, showed his wound to the Dispatch and said he had been rushed to hospital.
Buffalo City Metro deputy regional ANC chairman Xola Pakati was deployed to preside over the meeting, which was held in Gompo Hall.
He denied there was any outbreak of violence during the meeting, saying there was only a “misunderstanding among members over who should preside over the meeting”. Pakati denied the meeting ended as a result of the violence.
“The meeting was adjourned on the basis of the misunderstanding. We will resolve these matters internally with the members,” he said.
Pakati also denied the meeting had anything to do with Makete. “The councillor’s did not come up, as this meeting had nothing to do with ,” he said.
Pakati added that it was “normal” for ANC members not to understand the internal processes, but the ANC would resolve the issues.
The Dispatch went to the scene of the riot yesterday. The main road was badly damaged and remnants of burnt tyres and trash were still there.
Wongama said once the meeting was halted, she left her roadside home near Gompo Hall to visit her cousin until the situation calmed down.
Then she received a call saying people were toyi-toyiing outside her house. Wongama, who supports Makete, rushed back to find children stacking rubbish against the walls of her house – allegedly preparing to set it alight.
She called the police, who eventually arrived and soon settled everything down.
Marais said drivers who tried to get around the barricade found their vehicles were stoned or they were attacked by rioters, and some vehicles were even stolen.
He said he could not specify how many cars had been damaged or people injured, because no one had contacted the police station yet.
Marais said community members had begun using children to construct the barricades and set them alight.
“The residents do this because they know we can’t fire rubber bullets at children,” Marais said.
He added that the violence of the community members was eventually tempered by other residents, who calmed the situation. — michelles@dispatch.co.za
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