What was meant to be a peaceful meeting to elect delegates to attend the OR Tambo ANC regional elective conference turned into a chair-throwing, fist-fighting melee.
The chaos erupted at a branch general meeting of King Sabata Dalindyebo’s Ward 29 in Mqanduli last Tuesday where more than 200 members had gathered.
Regional executive committee (REC) deployee and Nyandeni mayor Thokozile Sokhanyile said trouble started after some members complained they were not on the list of those meant to participate.
“I was busy looking for one member’s name on the list. As I was looking, I saw chairs flying. From there, all hell broke loose. I left the hall unharmed – it seemed as if they knew their targets,” he said.
A member at the meeting said the fight started when a man from one faction slapped another.
“Chairs started flying then. One member was hit with an iron rod on his chin and he was unconscious for close to an hour.
“No one was badly injured but a lot of people laid criminal charges.”
KSD subregional chairman Dumani Zozo said the leadership had received reports about the event.
“I only attended to the matter after I heard that it had happened. What we did was take reports explaining what happened.
“If there are members that are found to have violated the constitution of the ANC, such members must be dealt with,” said Zozo.
Responding to why he was seen at the police station with some of those involved in the fight, Zozo said: “I went to the police station to confirm that those members were indeed leaders of the ANC, not ordinary members.”
Mqanduli police Major Zamukulungisa Jozana confirmed that ANC members laid charges but could not say how many people.
“I can confirm that some ANC members laid charges of assault at the police station. No arrests have been made yet but we are still investigating,” said Jozana.
The OR Tambo region will hold its elective conference in June.
Incumbent chair Thandekile Sabisa has been nominated for another term in branches. His lineup includes Nyandeni’s Lawrence Mambila as his deputy. Mambila is the current deputy secretary.
For the position of secretary, Sabisa’s supporters want current secretary Lulama Ngcukayithobi of KSD to retain his position, while his deputy would be Ngquza firebrand Dumisani Mjokovane.
The group also wants PSJ’s Nomakhaya Ndakayi as treasurer.
On one side there is Mhlontlo’s Xolile Nkompela to contest Sabisa’s position, Ngquza’s Pat Mdingi as deputy chair, Ngcukayithobi as secretary, Nyandeni's Mesuli Ngqondwana as deputy secretary and Zandile Mdoda of PSJ as treasurer. The lineups may change. — abongilem@dispatch.co.za
ANC branch meeting ends in flying fists
The chaos erupted at a branch general meeting of King Sabata Dalindyebo’s Ward 29 in Mqanduli last Tuesday where more than 200 members had gathered.
Regional executive committee (REC) deployee and Nyandeni mayor Thokozile Sokhanyile said trouble started after some members complained they were not on the list of those meant to participate.
“I was busy looking for one member’s name on the list. As I was looking, I saw chairs flying. From there, all hell broke loose. I left the hall unharmed – it seemed as if they knew their targets,” he said.
A member at the meeting said the fight started when a man from one faction slapped another.
“Chairs started flying then. One member was hit with an iron rod on his chin and he was unconscious for close to an hour.
“No one was badly injured but a lot of people laid criminal charges.”
KSD subregional chairman Dumani Zozo said the leadership had received reports about the event.
“I only attended to the matter after I heard that it had happened. What we did was take reports explaining what happened.
“If there are members that are found to have violated the constitution of the ANC, such members must be dealt with,” said Zozo.
Responding to why he was seen at the police station with some of those involved in the fight, Zozo said: “I went to the police station to confirm that those members were indeed leaders of the ANC, not ordinary members.”
Mqanduli police Major Zamukulungisa Jozana confirmed that ANC members laid charges but could not say how many people.
“I can confirm that some ANC members laid charges of assault at the police station. No arrests have been made yet but we are still investigating,” said Jozana.
The OR Tambo region will hold its elective conference in June.
Incumbent chair Thandekile Sabisa has been nominated for another term in branches. His lineup includes Nyandeni’s Lawrence Mambila as his deputy. Mambila is the current deputy secretary.
For the position of secretary, Sabisa’s supporters want current secretary Lulama Ngcukayithobi of KSD to retain his position, while his deputy would be Ngquza firebrand Dumisani Mjokovane.
The group also wants PSJ’s Nomakhaya Ndakayi as treasurer.
On one side there is Mhlontlo’s Xolile Nkompela to contest Sabisa’s position, Ngquza’s Pat Mdingi as deputy chair, Ngcukayithobi as secretary, Nyandeni's Mesuli Ngqondwana as deputy secretary and Zandile Mdoda of PSJ as treasurer. The lineups may change. — abongilem@dispatch.co.za
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