Heidelberg CBD looked like a battle zone on November 18, when branches of the South African Students Congress (SAMCO) and splintered factions registered for the 22nd Bi-Annual National Congress that will be held in Boksburg over the weekend.
Registration for the congress took place at the Heidelberg City Hall.
It is understood that Lesedi Local Municipality permitted the registration in Heidelberg without following the correct procedures.
Buses were transporting members from all over South Africa for the congress.
Chaos broke out when one faction was allegedly not happy with some of the arrangements and started attacking the other with sjamboks and throwing bricks and objects.
Some vehicles were damaged in the process when bricks were used as weapons. A part of the palisade fence around the town hall was also damaged.
The registration process was put on hold. By late afternoon more buses were arriving with extra members that still needed to register.
The registration desks would have re-opened later as soon as the Public Order Police Unit (POP) arrived.
By around 20:30 the unit was nowhere to be seen and the groups started dispersing in small groups.
Local SAPS, AfriForum and CPF members were in attendance to monitor the situation and calm was restored.
The municipality’s spokesperson Katleho Seaga was asked for clarity on the matter. “The municipality is aware of the incident that broke out this afternoon and is gathering facts. We will issue out a statement in due course.”
