The DA in Mpumalanga has laid charges of intimidation against a member of the Mayoral Committee of the Albert Luthuli Local Municipality (Carolina), Walter Phiri Mgomezulu.
The charges were laid at the South African Police Services and with the Independent Electoral Commission after Mr Mngomezulu allegedly tried to run over DA party agents at the municipality in Carolina during the recent voter registration weekend.
In a statement received from the Democratic Alliance’s Mr Ken Robertson, MP and Deputy Chairman Mpumalanga and Political Head, Chief Albert Luthuli Constituency, it is alleged that Mr Mngomezulu also threatened to slit the throats of DA activists and drove his vehicle along the pavement and attempted to park his vehicle under a DA gazebo, while party members were still manning tables.
A video clip of the incident is in the possession of DA party members.
“This behaviour began on the 9th and continued on the 10th. Mr Mgomezulu’s bullying tactics are an indication of the ruling party’s paranoia and intolerance and typical of a party that is on the back foot. This ruffian-like attitude of the ANC will not deter the DA from performing their duties of ensuring they assist as many people as possible to register as voters. The DA has stood firm throughout the insults and charging vehicles and we in Carolina will not be deterred by these violations of freedom,” said Mr Robertson.
In the statement, the DA writes that the party respects acts of clean politicking and believes that where people differ, they should debate and respect the opinions of others as well as the principles of a free and fair democratic electoral system.
The statement goes on to say that the actions by the ANC member of the Mayoral Committee are in clear violation of the IEC rules and are a violation of the IEC’s Code of Conduct.
“The political intolerance of the ANC is simply unacceptable. The Constitution affords each of us the right to choose our political affiliation and these bullying tactics must not be accepted. This behaviour is in violation of the ANC’s own Freedom Charter and we will be challenging Mr Mgomezulu in the courts and through the IEC. We will even challenge his antics in the municipal council as we must force accountability from the very ANC party who has mandated him to represent the voters.”
The Highvelder contacted Mr Mnogmezulu on Friday and asked if he was aware that charges had been brought against him. He denounced the charges, saying that at no stage was there any form of intimidation.
“Yes. I am aware of the charges, but there is no such thing. You will see there is no such thing. It’s just politics on the part of the DA,” he said.
