EMJINDINI – Rowdy ANC supporters caused havoc in the streets of Emjindini last Tuesday as Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) supporters were waiting for the commander-in-chief, Julius Malema.
Many bakkies, taxis, and even municipal and government vehicles disrupted traffic flow. Supporters in an ANC-branded bakkie, threw berets and T-shirts on the streets.
Not far from where the EFF’s rally took place, the opposing party also pitched their tents.
The media representatives including Barberton Times, were threatened for taking photos. Cllr Elizabeth Geceko charged at reporters, saying they had not asked permission to take photos.
Geceko further accused them of contacting the party’s media convener in Umjindi, Bhekizwe Nkambule, and spreading rumours that ANC members were disrupting the EFF’s campaign.
“This is our land, they didn’t ask permission from us to hold their rally (sic),” she said. EFF supporters, however, insisted that the media representatives stay to expose the ANC’s intolerance.
The supporters did everything they could to disrupt the EFF’s proceedings. A fuming Geceko had to be calmed down by the Barberton Police Station commander, Col George Mshazo Tau.
“I told you your supporters’ presence would cause problems. Please go,” said Tau, and she eventually left.
This was not the first time the ANC is accused of being intolerant. On April 2011, when DA leader, Helen Zille visited Umjindi during the build-up to the elections that year, an ANC convoy circled the town hall where she and provincial leader, Anthony Benadie were addressing their supporters.
Sibusiso Themba, the ANC’s provincial spokesman said it was simply a coincidence that the EFF held its rally while supporters were continuing with the programme.
“After our manifesto launch, the ANC announced its programme, which started on January 20. That was to popularise the manifesto and encourage people to go and register to vote.
“All our branches were instructed to continue every day until February 10. It was a coincidence that the events were held close to each other. And you will also find that, the place where the EFF held its event is where we usually hold ours,” said Themba.
