A rural school in Ngqeleni was damaged when an ANC meeting turned violent, forcing people to duck for cover when stones were thrown and windows smashed.
The Eastern Cape ANC leadership and department of education have condemned the incident.
The party’s Dr Felix Nkunjana branch held its annual general meeting at Bantini Junior Secondary School in Mazizini village in Ngqeleni near Mthatha on Sunday evening to elect a new branch leadership.
The meeting took a nasty turn about 8pm when two factions, each with their own list of candidates, clashed.
Two adjoining classrooms used as a venue for the meeting was plunged into darkness when an extension power cable was cut and stolen.
Soon after stones came smashing through the windows of the classrooms used by the Grade Rs and those inside had to scurry for cover under tables and chairs.
Branch chairman Sabelo Qaqa, who is council speaker of Nyandeni Municipality, said police were called.
The Grade R block, built in 2013, is located inside the school yard but has its own fencing and gates.
“About 149 people had registered for the meeting and everything went well.
“Credentials were discussed but when it was about time to vote, they cut the electricity extension cord, which we had used to draw electricity from one of the classrooms in the school,” said Qaqa.
Party members inside the hall, mostly elderly, were forced to hide under tables when the other group allegedly started throwing stones and breaking windows in trying to gain access.
The Daily Dispatch, during a visit to the school yesterday, found at least 15 windows damaged in Sunday’s fracas.
Bantini JSS principal Gladys Nqiwa said the damage would cost around R50000 to repair.
The school had opened a case of malicious damage to property with the police, she said.
Provincial education spokesman Loyiso Pulumani confirmed the party agreed to pay, adding the department was dismayed by the vandalism.
ANC chairman in the OR Tambo region, Thandekile Sabisa, said the party distanced itself from what he described as an “act of disrespect”.
ANC provincial secretary Oscar Mabuyane also condemned the incident.
“Police must not hesitate to investigate,” he said. — sikhon@dispatch.co.za
Violence erupts at ANC meeting
The Eastern Cape ANC leadership and department of education have condemned the incident.
The party’s Dr Felix Nkunjana branch held its annual general meeting at Bantini Junior Secondary School in Mazizini village in Ngqeleni near Mthatha on Sunday evening to elect a new branch leadership.
The meeting took a nasty turn about 8pm when two factions, each with their own list of candidates, clashed.
Two adjoining classrooms used as a venue for the meeting was plunged into darkness when an extension power cable was cut and stolen.
Soon after stones came smashing through the windows of the classrooms used by the Grade Rs and those inside had to scurry for cover under tables and chairs.
Branch chairman Sabelo Qaqa, who is council speaker of Nyandeni Municipality, said police were called.
The Grade R block, built in 2013, is located inside the school yard but has its own fencing and gates.
“About 149 people had registered for the meeting and everything went well.
“Credentials were discussed but when it was about time to vote, they cut the electricity extension cord, which we had used to draw electricity from one of the classrooms in the school,” said Qaqa.
Party members inside the hall, mostly elderly, were forced to hide under tables when the other group allegedly started throwing stones and breaking windows in trying to gain access.
The Daily Dispatch, during a visit to the school yesterday, found at least 15 windows damaged in Sunday’s fracas.
Bantini JSS principal Gladys Nqiwa said the damage would cost around R50000 to repair.
The school had opened a case of malicious damage to property with the police, she said.
Provincial education spokesman Loyiso Pulumani confirmed the party agreed to pay, adding the department was dismayed by the vandalism.
ANC chairman in the OR Tambo region, Thandekile Sabisa, said the party distanced itself from what he described as an “act of disrespect”.
ANC provincial secretary Oscar Mabuyane also condemned the incident.
“Police must not hesitate to investigate,” he said. — sikhon@dispatch.co.za
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