‘I tried to calm crowd at service’

KWAZULU-Natal ANC Youth League secretary Thanduxolo Sabelo says he did everything within his power to try to restore order at the memorial service for Struggle stalwart Ahmed Kathrada earlier this year.

“In the prevailing circumstances I did my best to maintain and dissuade unruly elements in attendance at the memorial service,” Sabelo said in papers filed in the Durban High Court last week.

“I admit Dr Zweli Mkhize was interrupted but I dispute that I did absolutely nothing to calm and control the situation. As far as I’m concerned I did everything within my power.”

Sabelo was responding to a bid by the organisers of the memorial, the Active Citizens Movement (ACM), to have him and the league found in contempt of court.

In March, Judge Rashid Vahed granted the ACM an urgent interdict preventing league members from disrupting the proceedings.

On the day of the service, a rowdy crowd in ANCYL T-shirts heckled and booed several speakers, including former finance minister Pravin Gordhan and Mkhize.

The ACM wants Sabelo and the league fined R150000, payable to charity, and public apologies.