Proceedings of the May Day celebrations continued under police guard at Mdantsane’s Sisa Dukashe this afternoon.
It was just before the premier took to the stage when a group of about 300 people, wearing red T-shirts forced their way into the stadium’s grounds singing on top of their voices.
Carried placards which some read: “Zuma, Blade and Sdumo out, reinstate Zwelinzima Vavi'', the group interrupted all the speakers with song while booed others.
The program which was delayed by almost two hours was further delayed for about 30 minutes as the MC was trying to calm down the situation.
Program director Mzwandile Toyise who is the chairman of Cosatu in the Eastern Cape had his hands full as he was trying to control the unruly members.
“We want to avoid confrontation between yourselves and the police, please seat down,” he told the chaotic crowd.
Toyise lost his cool when he told them to go back where they were coming from if they did not want to listen.
“If your intention is to interrupt this gathering, that will not happen. We will not accept that. Go back to where you are coming from,” he said.
Attempts by premier Phumulo Masualle to restore order were also unsuccessful as the group carried on singing .
Masualle told the crowd that May Day Celebration was an important day for workers.
“It is the day we were supposed to look back at the progress we have made until now, and look at the challenges we are facing as workers going forward,” he said.
“We all have to agree that what we see here today is not supposed to happen, it does not help unite workers and struggle workers face,” he said.
ANC general Gwede Mantashe was not spared from the wrath of the angry workers. They also sang while he was making the speech.
He slammed the police for not dealing with the members that were interrupting the event.
“The last time I checked we had what we call public order police. It is obvious that we do not have them here in the Eastern Cape.”
“When I go back I report that they must send police to the Eastern Cape, otherwise we would not be interrupted and police are not doing anything about that,” he said.
Cosatu national spokesman Mzwandile Mgwayiba told the workers that they must not stop supporting the ANC.
‘Workers, shop-stewards and members of our unions must make sure that during the next local government elections the ANC wins convincingly .
“We must avoid a situation like the one in the Nelson Mandela Bay, where the Metro was taken by the DA,” he said.
Video :Chaos at May Day rally
It was just before the premier took to the stage when a group of about 300 people, wearing red T-shirts forced their way into the stadium’s grounds singing on top of their voices.
Carried placards which some read: “Zuma, Blade and Sdumo out, reinstate Zwelinzima Vavi'', the group interrupted all the speakers with song while booed others.
The program which was delayed by almost two hours was further delayed for about 30 minutes as the MC was trying to calm down the situation.
Program director Mzwandile Toyise who is the chairman of Cosatu in the Eastern Cape had his hands full as he was trying to control the unruly members.
“We want to avoid confrontation between yourselves and the police, please seat down,” he told the chaotic crowd.
Toyise lost his cool when he told them to go back where they were coming from if they did not want to listen.
“If your intention is to interrupt this gathering, that will not happen. We will not accept that. Go back to where you are coming from,” he said.
Attempts by premier Phumulo Masualle to restore order were also unsuccessful as the group carried on singing .
Masualle told the crowd that May Day Celebration was an important day for workers.
“It is the day we were supposed to look back at the progress we have made until now, and look at the challenges we are facing as workers going forward,” he said.
“We all have to agree that what we see here today is not supposed to happen, it does not help unite workers and struggle workers face,” he said.
ANC general Gwede Mantashe was not spared from the wrath of the angry workers. They also sang while he was making the speech.
He slammed the police for not dealing with the members that were interrupting the event.
“The last time I checked we had what we call public order police. It is obvious that we do not have them here in the Eastern Cape.”
“When I go back I report that they must send police to the Eastern Cape, otherwise we would not be interrupted and police are not doing anything about that,” he said.
Cosatu national spokesman Mzwandile Mgwayiba told the workers that they must not stop supporting the ANC.
‘Workers, shop-stewards and members of our unions must make sure that during the next local government elections the ANC wins convincingly .
“We must avoid a situation like the one in the Nelson Mandela Bay, where the Metro was taken by the DA,” he said.
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