EFF denies trashing of Vodacom store at Mall of the North
This, despite CCTV footage made available, clearly showing a bakkie pull in close to one of the entrances shortly before the attack, with men wearing the party's regalia.
POLOKWANE – “It wasn’t us.” This was the official response from the EFF this week, after a Vodacom store at Mall of the North was trashed on Sunday.
This, despite CCTV footage made available, clearly showing a bakkie pull in close to one of the entrances shortly before the attack, with men wearing the party’s regalia.
Read more: WATCH: Vodacom store in Polokwane mall trashed
Shoppers were scared off and staff left traumatised as the group entered the mall, walking in the direction of the Vodacom store and destroying most of what was inside, leaving it in a state of complete disarray.
Mall of the North’s management confirmed the incident, saying it was being handled by the police.
According to reports on social media, the protest might have been provoked after an image of EFF Commander in Chief Julius Malema and Deputy President Floyd Shivambu with the caption ‘Abusers of Democracy,’ was shown during the Vodacom Journalist of the Year Awards last week.
Yet, the provincial EFF denies any involvement.
EFF Provincial Secretary, Jossey Buthane told BONUS they too received some video footage and photos of a group of men “claiming to be from, or being members of the EFF, who damaged property at Vodacom” but that the EFF was unaware of the incident.
Aside from Sunday’s incident at Mall of the North, similar attacks of destruction were carried out by EFF members at Vodacom stores at Louis Trichardt, Vhembe, Centurion, Hatfield and Eastlynne.
“The EFF provincial, national and at branch level has never issued or assigned any instructions for Vodacom to be attended to or attacked in any way.
“When people are angry and have their own personal issues, they should not point it out or blame it on the EFF. It’s not everyone who wears a red T-shirt who is a member of the EFF,” Buthane said.
He said the EFF hoped a perception of the party would not be the result of these allegations.
“The EFF did not react violently to the statement given at the awards. We remained calm and we were not involved in assigning anyone to go destroy any Vodacom store in and outside Polowane,” Buthane concluded.
Provincial Police Spokesperson, Col Moatshe Ngoepe told BONUS that a case of malicious damage to property had been opened. “The suspects stormed in and vandalised property in the store.
So far, two shops were affected but only representatives from one shop lodged an official complaint regarding the incident.
“The other shop did not complain as yet. The suspects are still unknown and no arrests have been made,” Ngoepe added.
On Monday, DA Limpopo Premier candidate, Jacques Smalle, opened criminal charges against the EFF as a result of the vandalised stores, saying the DA condemns the violence. He urged law enforcement to investigate the case and arrest members of the EFF with immediate effect.
