The Congress of the People strongly condemns an attack on their members by alleged ANC members in Swartruggens on Saturday during their door-to-door election campaign.
According to Cope spokesperson Dennis Bloem, men dressed in ANC t-shirts were armed with stones and whips. They chased away NW Cope acting secretary Jonas Ramaphudu and his team of volunteers out of an informal settlement in Swartruggens where they conducted their election campaign.

“The attack was reported to the local police station but the police were reluctant to charge the assailants apparently because they were not sure what case to open against the suspects.

“Accompanied by the police, the attacked Cope team went back to the area just to carry on with their campaign. The assailants tried for the second time to prevent them from campaigning in the area. One person was arrested but surprisingly he was charged with public drinking after trying to attack members with stones. This is unacceptable, ” said Bloem.