Pravin blasts ‘poo fighters’

Former finance minister Pravin Gordhan, pictured, has condemned attempts to intimidate him by people who “engaged in fights” and who on Sunday dumped human waste at the door to a hall in Stanger.

“This violent and intolerant conduct must be condemned by all democratic organisations. This kind of intolerance will only serve to alienate more of the public,” said Gordhan.

The ANC MP was scheduled to speak at the Stanger Siva Sungum Hall at a private fund-raising event hosted by the Concerned Citizens Group.

But before his arrival, buckets of human waste were dumped at the entrance to the hall, allegedly by ANC youth league members. While Gordhan was trying to speak, food was thrown around the hall and stones were thrown outside.

Scuffles broke out between those who had come to listen to Gordhan and protesters.

The youth league members said they were not targeting Gordhan in particular, but were protesting against the building of a shopping mall in the area because locals were not being given jobs on the project. The youth league leadership in the area strongly condemned the violence at the event.

“The constitution of South Africa has, as a fundamental right, the freedom of association and the freedom of speech. The members of the community who were present to express their support for the issues raised by the Concerned Citizens Group had every right to safety and a peaceful event,” said Gordhan.

“The incident was reminiscent of the intolerance experienced in the ’80s in particular.”

Since being fired as finance minister, Gordhan has been a speaker at numerous events across the country at which he speaks against corruption and state capture.

He has long been in the crosshairs of the ruling party’s youth league, which considers him a hindrance to radical economic transformation. – ANA