VIDEO: Apologetic EFF ‘condemns’ members for removing ANC posters
However, others have been quick to suggest that ANC members may be equally, or even more, to blame.
Picture: Video screen grab
In a tweet on Wednesday evening, the Economic Freedom Fighters said they had seen and taken note of footage of their members engaging in the illegal removal of rival ANC posters.
The statement came, ironically, on the same day the party signed an electoral conduct pledge undertaking to not do precisely this sort of thing.
“We categorically condemn such action and will take necessary steps against those fighters. We apologise to the ANC and pledge our commitment to a free and fair democratic contestation of these elections.”
We take note of a circulating video of EFF members removing posters of the ANC. We categorically condemn such an action & will take necessary steps against those fighters. We apologize to the ANC & pledge our commitment to a free & fair democratic contestation of these elections.
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) March 20, 2019
EFF leader Julius Malema called what he was seeing “the highest form of stupidity”.
It is the highest form of stupidity and we are dealing with it tomorrow. They will put them back, highly unacceptable. My apology
— Julius Sello Malema (@Julius_S_Malema) March 20, 2019
The video footage had emerged just hours earlier and, in it, EFF and ANC members can be seen confronting each other.
According to those claiming to have information about the incident, however, ANC members allegedly also tried to remove EFF posters, or were supposedly “provoking” EFF members by placing ANC posters next to theirs at the Mpumalanga, GwaQuka, township venue where the EFF will hold a manifesto rally this weekend in Emalahleni.
A party that breaches the electoral code, as the EFF has done, can be fined up to R200,000, lose electoral deposits, be made to stop working in an area or even lose its votes from a certain area.
In the worst-case scenario, they could be barred from contesting elections at all.
you confusing a clash between two groups, which resulted in both groups destroying each others posters, with what ANC does, which is to have a planned operation that is removing EFF posters across the country.
— BANDILE “CHIZ” ZULU (@ka_madesi) March 20, 2019
That is what really happened. The EFF is having a rally on Saturday , so the ground forces were posting the rally posters and some ANC members came and removed EFF posters.
— Mduduzi (@captainmcfaya) March 20, 2019
EFF supporters are seen removing ANC posters from KwaGuqa at the venue where the EFF is expected to hold its manifesto rally on the 23rd. ANC supporters are seen challenging the move. #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/8MYloxCcLf
— Siphephile Kunene Ntatheli yabantu (@NomphiloK) March 20, 2019
OH its no longer funny now😂When the Anc specially deployed Metro traffic cops to take down EFF posters it was okay🙄 pic.twitter.com/m6CAM5zj1J
— DR TSHEGO ABUTI T-MAN (@RALETMaN) March 20, 2019
No.the ANC Is wrong,they can not put posters at a venue where they know the EFF will be holding a rally in few days time.Yjis is an act of PROVOCATION!
— Mighty (@Mighty28220123) March 20, 2019
(Compiled by Charles Cilliers)
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