Pedestrian claims attack by Magashule

With more political parties formed than the country has seen before and highly competitive elections in a few months, violence could rear its ugly head again, as seen before 1994 elections, says a North-West University political analyst

According to Prof André Duvenhage, South Africa could be entering one of the most difficult and violent elections since 1994.

“We have at least 60 murders a day... There’s a high level of conflict in our politics and the intolerance and instability will increase as we head into the elections.”

Areas where ANC-breakaway parties have intensified campaigns could experience violence, he added.

Duvenage was asked to comment after Free State police confirmed a case of common assault had been opened against African Congress for Transformation (ACT) leader Ace Magashule and his two bodyguards.

Efforts to get hold of Magashule have been unsuccessful. But party spokesperson Rankele Msinto told public broadcaster SABC that ACT would only comment after seeing the police complaint.

Ndade Moletsane, 44, said he suffered blows to his upper body and his left eye when Magashule and his bodyguards allegedly attacked him in Meloding, Virginia.

He alleged Magashule led the attack before his bodyguards and amadela kufa

(“die-hard’ ACT supporters) followed suit.

“My doctor says the beating ... almost affected my left eyesight. I have bruises on my face and body, I am still in pain,” Moletsane told The Citizen.

The attack was caught on video.

Moletsane said he was walking “near the chisanyama [braai] place [when] a T-shirt was thrown at me, and I threw it back where it came from”.

“It landed on Magashule’s head, I wasn’t even aware that he was there,” he said.

Magashule jumped off the vehicle and raised his hand to slap him, he alleged.

“He asked me what the hell I was doing, pushing me while cursing at me.

“I was at that time the beating began and I fell to the ground and tried to protect my body against them,” he said.