DA councillor opens assault case against mayor
ZULULAND Democratic Alliance (DA) member and uMhlathuze councillor Siphesihle Magubane has opened a case of assault against uMfolozi Mayor Simangaliso Mgenge and other members of the ANC.
At the centre of the row is the booking of the Hlanganani Community Hall boardroom at eSikhaleni by the DA.
Magubane said they were shocked to see ANC members gathered outside the hall without their knowledge.
DA provincial leader Zwakele Mncwango accused ANC members of instigating a confrontation.
‘When ANC members saw our members arriving, they quickly occupied the hall and started chasing our members away.
‘Councillor Magubane intervened by showing them proof that the venue was indeed booked, but no one listened and chaos ensued.
‘He was violently manhandled in full view of everyone, assaulted, strangled by a group of ANC members, including Mayor Simangaliso Mgenge.
‘We strongly condemn such behaviour and are worried about this political intolerance that is rearing its ugly head in the province.
‘We can’t allow no go areas in this country after 24 years of freedom. We will continue to occupy space in any hall, anywhere,’ said Mncwango.
City of uMhlathuze Communications Manager Mdu Ncalane confirmed that the DA had booked the hall, while the ANC wanted to use the hall without a booking.
‘The matter was discussed and resolved amicably. It was agreed that the DA would use the boardroom because of the size of the meeting, allowing the ANC to use the main hall,’ said Ncalane.
ANC Musa Dladla Regional Secretary, Tholinhlahla Gwala, refuted claims that Magubane was assaulted.
‘When he arrived at the venue he went to the boardroom and started banging tables, demanding our members to leave the boardroom.
‘As they were already in the middle of a meeting, they asked to be given a few minutes, but he refused.
‘Our members became angry, but Councillor Mgenge, who was deployed to monitor our branch’s general meeting, took him outside. Magubane then called the police.
‘It is a blatant lie that Magubane was assaulted,’ said Gwala.
Provincial police spokesperson, Captain Nqobile Gwala, confirmed that
We can’t allow no go areas in this country after 24 years of freedom
a case of common assault was under investigation by eSikhaleni police, but no arrest has been made.
‘A 21-year-old man was allegedly assaulted by a known suspect after an argument,’ said Gwala.