Violent protests rock SA capital ahead of election
Residents from Atteridgeville, west of Pretoria, set a truck alight due to their dissatisfaction with the South African ruling party African National Congress (ANC) nominations on the candidates list for the upcoming municipal elections, on June 21, 2016 in Pretoria. PHOTO | AFP
What you need to know:
19 buses were burnt down, several shops looted and streets barricaded during protests against the naming of Mrs Thoko Didiza as the ANC candidate.
Violence began on Sunday evening at the Tshwane Events Centre where branch leaders gathered to discuss the candidacy.
A portion of the country’s main highway, the N1, was closed off after protesters hurled stones at cars.
PRETORIA, Tuesday
At least one person has been shot dead and several other people injured in Pretoria protests against South Africa’s ruling ANC party nominee for the mayoral contest.
Nineteen buses were also burnt down, several shops looted and streets barricaded during protests against the naming of Mrs Thoko Didiza as the ANC candidate.
Residents of Atteridgeville suburb lashed out at the ANC’s decision to put forward Mrs Didiza’s candidature, saying a Zulu from KwaZulu-Natal could be brought in to lead them.
The violence began on Sunday evening at the Tshwane Events Centre where branch leaders gathered to discuss the candidacy.
Autopax acting CEO Bongani Kupe said it had suffered an estimated $1.9 million damage after 19 of its buses were set alight in Mamelodi, a township in Pretoria, during the violence on Monday night.
Mr Kupe said a decision was taken to suspend operations in Mamelodi after their bus drivers were assaulted. “We’re trying to protect as much as we can so that no further damage can be incurred.
‘‘We are working around the clock to see what we can do around this in order to rescue whatever is left,” he said
ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe said thugs masquerading as party members were behind the protests. “Thuggery is taking over politics in Tshwane.
‘‘I am concerned, that is why I am saying it is thuggery, and thuggery is bad for politics,” Mr Mantashe said.
ANC FACTIONALISM
The government has called on Pretoria residents to remain calm, pointing out that the current levels of violence were uncalled for.
In a statement, government said there was no issue which could not be resolved through democratic processes and dialogue.
It warned that law enforcement agencies would not tolerate violence, damage to property and infringing the rights and free movement of others.
It said perpetrators will face the full might of the law.
Similar protests broke out earlier this month in Durban in the home province of President Jacob Zuma, signalling increasing factionalism within the party ahead of a vote which analysts believe could see the ANC lose power in some major cities.
The party is reeling under “factionalism, corruption and leadership without credibility”, said political analyst and author Prince Mashele.
SEVERAL BUSES BURNT
An AFP photographer saw a truck and a bus on fire in Pretoria’s Atteridgeville township early Tuesday as protesters vented their anger over a mayoral candidate they say was imposed on them by the national party leadership.
Local media reported that several buses were also set ablaze in other townships in the administrative capital, which is also known as Tshwane.
A portion of the country’s main highway, the N1, was closed off after protesters hurled stones at cars.
Police refused to give details of damage or casualties caused by the protests, but said they were investigating a case of murder, along with malicious damage to property and intimidation.
Local media reported that an ANC supporter was shot during a party gathering in Pretoria on Sunday, and later died in hospital.
Several deaths attributed to factionalism within the ANC have been reported from around the country in the run-up to the elections.
ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe denied that the Pretoria protests were sparked by the party’s choice of a mayoral nominee, but described them as acts of “thuggery” driven by factionalism and patronage.
