Violence, intimidation on campaign trail

DA alleges that its members are being harassed by ANC supporters in the townships

THE DA has vowed that it will not be intimidated by acts of violence, which its members have been allegedly subject to while campaigning for votes in predominantly black townships in Gauteng ahead of the May 8 general elections.

DA leader in the province John Moodey made the pledge after the alleged attacks at the weekend by ANC members in Naledi, Soweto, on Friday.

A case was opened at the Naledi police station and Moodey said he would report the latest incident to the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) this week.

“This is the fourth attack on our members. Our members were initially attacked in Katlehong on the East Rand and then at the Tshwane University of Technology’s Soshanguve campus. Daso members were attacked at TUT.

“Our members were also attacked in Hammanskraal, with the latest attack in Soweto.”

The ANC, however, has vehemently denied the allegations.

ANC Joburg region spokesperson Jolidee Matongo said that it was an isolated incident in which one of the party’s supporters asked DA members not to deposit one of their electioneering pamphlets in his post box.

“The ANC member told the DA members that they should not deposit their pamphlet in his box, saying he and his family are not supporting the DA.

“The DA members then deposited the pamphlet by force and a scuffle broke out,” Matongo said.

He claimed one of the DA members was the first to “klap” the ANC member who retaliated. Matongo said his party had also lodged a complaint against the DA.

Meanwhile, the DA has denied claims that their inclusion of more black people on their top 30 Gauteng candidates list was aimed at increasing its footprint in black townships.

The party has 23 seats in the Gauteng legislature. It has retained all their incumbent black representatives in the legislature including Makashule Gana and Khume Ramulifho.

The DA has now included two City of Joburg mayoral committee members, Nonhlanhla Sifumba (community development) and Yao-Hen Michael Sun (public safety) on their candidates list for Gauteng.

It has also included incumbent City of Tshwane mayor Stevens Mokgalapa and controversial Tshwane DA councillor Nkele Molapo in their top 30 candidates list led by premier-designate Solly Msimanga.

Molapo, who was last year embroiled in controversy over allegations of having leaked sensitive DA information to EFF leader Julius Malema, has secured a top 10 position on the list.

But, according to Moodey, all their candidates were on their list on “merit”. “All candidates contested for the positions. They went through a rigorous selection process and they occupied their positions on merit,” he said.

This is the fourth attack… our members were first attacked in Katlehong… now it’s in Soweto

John Moodey

DA Gauteng leader