Glencoe DA member assaulted at youth event
A jarring account of Youth Day celebrations turned sour
Discord turned Youth Day celebrations sour when DA members were assaulted with chairs, cans and apples at a youth event in Pietermaritzburg.
According to Nozipho Mbatha, Glencoe DA youth member, the conflict was caused by disruptions during speeches from ANC delegates singing struggle songs. “The deejay also played ANC songs,” said Nozipho.
Mike Mabuyakhulu, MEC of Economic Development and Tourism, tried to pacify the situation but when the speeches resumed, things turned for the worst.
“We were each allocated two minutes for our speech but when the ANC started singing struggle songs for over five minutes, we put up our hands to indicate they were over time,” she said.
Chairs, cans and apples were hurled at the DA members by the youth of ANC, resulting in the injury of four members. Nozipho sustained severe bruising to her forearm. “Only the women were hurt,” she added.
DA members allege that the premier and other officials were laughing as they were getting attacked.
Police escorted the DA members out.
A pending case was opened at Prestbury SAPS.
