Phoenix ward war gets ugly
Councillor versus chairman as mob storms home and damages car Petition to ban fireworks
THE rivalry between ANC members fighting for control of a Phoenix ward reached new highs this week. Now the ANC’s ward 48 councillor Roy Moodley, who defected from the DA, says he fears for his family.
On Thursday some residents allegedly stormed his house. The angry mob demanded he step down as ward councillor. They burned tyres and pelted his house with stones, damaging his car.
Moodley accused Seelan Achary, who chairs the local ANC branch, of instigating the attack.
Achary was present during the attack on Moodley’s home.
“I know he (Achary) orchestrated this protest because he wants to tarnish my image. He is doing everything in his power to impugn my reputation,” he said.
Moodley has beefed up security.
When the Herald visited on Friday, there were two armed guards in the yard.
The house was packed with friends and relatives who came to console the Moodley family.
It is alleged the protest was sparked by evictions at Shireen Mews, a privately owned property, on Wednesday.
Achary claims Moodley colluded with the owner, who is one of Moodley’s friends.
“The protest had nothing to do with the evictions. It’s about me being a councillor here,” Moodley said.
Moodley said tension with Achary was fuelled by a demonstration he had organised recently over affairs at Shri Mariammen Temple, run by an interfaith forum chaired by Achary.
“He was angry because we questioned whether he was fit to lead the forum. He is using people to fight his own battles.”
Achary said if it were not for him, Moodley’s house would have been reduced to ashes.
“I contained the situation when the residents wanted to burn down his house. He should be thankful.”
Achary said he was willing to sort out matters with Moodley. “In the interests of the ANC I’m prepared to smoke the peace pipe,” he said.
A member of the branch executive and resident of Shireen Mews, Ntuthuko Nala, said the ward was in tatters because of the leadership fight.
SAPS spokesman, Thulani Zwane, confirmed a case of malicious damage to property was being investigated.
Newly elected secretary of the party in KZN, Super Zuma, said: “We are going to be engaging with our comrades in Phoenix to find amicable solutions.
“We should be focusing on building unity ahead of next year’s local government elections rather than exchanging blows among ourselves,” he said. MORE than a week after Hindus worldwide observed Diwali, tensions over the use of fireworks continue to simmer in Durban suburbs and on social media platforms.
Durbanites Andrea Ording-Jespersen and Di Kendall started an online drive – Petitioning Fireworks eThekwini – hoping to ban fireworks from the city.
Kendall said they aimed to gain as many signatures of support as possible to hand to city authorities and police.
More than 2 500 people have signed up since the page was created last week.
Kendall said big bangs during Diwali celebrations had stirred deep concern for the well-being of animals, the elderly and babies.
The anti-fireworks activists are hoping their petition will get as much support as a similar campaign in Cape Town, which got 80 000 signatures.
According to OrdingJespersen and Kendall, a fireworks ban will help all those in harm’s way.
But some Durban organisations are not excited about the petition.
Jessica Singh of Paw-fect Nation said she did not think online petitions would work.
She said a ban would only be effective if passed in Parliament.
Ashwin Trikamjee of the SA Hindu Maha Sabha said: “I do not agree with the petition and would be surprised if it succeeded.
“A ban would be an extreme step, impinging on cultural practices. However, one must not ignore the fact that fireworks also feature at major events in the world and in South African sporting events in particular.
“Our constitution protects all cultures.”