The Democratic Alliance is investigating the alleged assault of an elderly man who accused the party – on camera — of fielding election candidates who were “criminals“.
A video of the man‚ who described himself as Danny Brown‚ being slapped was widely distributed on Monday.
View the video here:
It appears that he had not been able to voice his opinion at the event and challenged party officials later in the street about being ignored. DA officials intervene‚ asking supporters to leave the man alone‚ after he refused to shake members’ hands.
A DA councillor can be heard urging members to leave “this man alone and go home” and “don’t get involved with this man‚ he has issues“.
“Don’t offer me that dirty hand‚” replied the elderly man in Afrikaans. He is then urged‚ by a person who is not visible to ask supporters about a newspaper article.
“Why are you fielding a criminal as a candidate? Your candidate is in court‚” shouts the elderly man‚ which immediately agitates bystanders. He is swiftly slapped in a brief scuffle that ensues.
DA national spokesman Phumzile Van Damme told Tiso Black Star Group Digital on Monday that the party would investigate the incident.
“We are in the process of investigating this matter‚ as it is not clear from the video if the man who is involved in the alleged assault is from the DA.
“We nonetheless condemn his conduct‚ which goes against what the party believes in. If anyone else has more information‚ they should take the matter to the police for an investigation‚” she said.