MBOMBELA – Reports of violence that broke out between supporters of the ANC and the South African Communist Party (SACP) today were met with condemnation by the provincial secretary of the ANC.
What should have been a memorial lecture held for the late Joe Slovo and Jimmy Mhohlala by the SACP in KaNyamazane was reportedly disrupted by ANC members. Mr Lucky Ndinisa says he is still piecing together what actions between the groups had resulted in violence.
”At all times we expect our members to display the values of the organisation. We expect every South African citizen to be allowed to express himself and to to be able to associate freely,” Ndinisa said.
The reason for the unrest is attributed to the speakers scheduled for the event; former premier Dr Mathews Phosa and SACP provincial secretary Mr Bonakele Majuba. Due to the upheaval the lecture didn’t take place.
Phosa says he had been told by his hosts, the SACP that they would let him know when he should arrive. Instead they informed him that they were being blocked by hooligans, he says.
”Every political party has freedom of speech. Nobody has the right to interfere. It was a violation of the SACP’s right to assemble.”
Provincial police spokesman Brig Selby Mohlala was unavailable for comment.
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