DURBAN - THE ANC in eThekwini is investigating allegations that firearms were drawn, when chaos erupted during a ward 43 branch general meeting, in Ntuzuma, on Sunday night.
Ward councillor Gloria Mhlongo and proportional representative (PR) councillor Zama Sokhabase had met with branch members to elect a new executive and nominate a new ward councillor for the local government elections.
A decision is still pending on the date of the elections. Disruptions began when one of the members questioned the presence of armed private security guards. Members said that they felt intimidated and told the councillors that it was against the ANC policy to have armed guards at meetings.
Mhlongo is in the Rebuild Renewal and Unity camp, which wanted Thabani Nyawose to be chairperson after the eThekwini conference.
Sokhabase is in the Renewal and Unity camp, which campaigns for former mayor Zandile Gumede to retain her position as chairperson.
It is alleged that Mhlongo hit the current branch secretary, Themba Sokhabase, who is Zama’s husband.
Themba claimed that he stood up and went to the gate, after he received a complaint that the guards were blocking the entrance and intimidated people arriving to attend the meeting.
He said Mhlongo and her supporters accused him of running away with the membership roll and blocked his path. He claimed he was hit on the chest. Themba said he had to calm down to avoid a blood bath.
According to sources, Mhlongo’s bodyguards and the private security company intervened.
Councillor Sokhabase’s bodyguards went to the aid of her husband. The source claimed that guns were drawn by security on both sides.
Themba said security guards were allegedly brought in to intimidate those who were going to vote against her (Mhlongo’s) nomination.
Mhlongo denied the allegations that she hit Themba. Mhlongo told the Daily News that she did not know who hired the security company.
Regional task team co-ordinator Bheki Ntuli told the Daily News that having armed private security guards at a meeting was against the ANC guidelines.
“We are investigating the matter. We are waiting for a full report from those that attended. We want to know whose security company was in attendance because that is against the party policy. The matter will be discussed with the police,” said Ntuli.
Police spokesperson Colonel Thembeka Mbele said no case had been opened at the Ntuzuma SAPS.
Daily News