The residents of Juju Valley, an informal settlement outside Polokwane in Limpopo, are living in fear following violent clashes between ANC and EFF members.
Police in the province have confirmed that about 25 people were injured during the clashes at the weekend, including a nine-year-old girl who sustained a gunshot wound.
Sunday World has been reliably informed that ANC members intended to bring their election equipment to the settlement when they came across a hostile EFF crowd carrying knobkieries, machetes, and other dangerous weapons.
Social media videos have gone viral, showing EFF members obstructing ANC door-to-door campaigners who visited the informal settlement.
No-go zones
While the EFF claims that a violent altercation broke out between the ANC and the residents, the ANC has said that the EFF organised a group of its members and criminals to attack the ANC volunteers with guns and live ammunition.
The ANC in Limpopo has promised to file a formal complaint against the EFF for political intolerance with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).
Even though an area is named after a particular person, ANC provincial secretary Reuben Madadze stated that the organisation will not allow anyone to establish no-go zones.
If EFF members attack the ANC again, Madadze said, the ANC members will defend themselves.
“These armed members and criminals attacked the ANC volunteers under the provincial regional leadership of the ANC in the Peter Mokaba region, resulting in innocent people suffering injuries from gunshots and sharp objects,” said Madadze.
“In the history of this democracy, even at the height of political tension in the period after 1994, it was unheard of for any political formation to employ contract killers and gangsters.
“Everyone in South Africa knows that the EFF is a group of political thugs whose intentions are to destabilise this country.
“We will not be intimidated by their thuggery and intolerance. They have no respect for the rule of law because they are anarchists.”
Inflammatory statements
Godrich Gardee, the party’s provincial convener, said the EFF strongly condemns the violence in Juju Valley and throughout the province during this crucial election period.
“This reprehensive incident stands against the principles of democracy and civil discourse that the EFF and the nation unreservedly uphold,” Gardee said.
“We remind all political leaders of their responsibility to refrain from making inflammatory statements.
“The EFF remains committed to ensuring peaceful, fair, and democratic processes as we move towards the election.”
Provincial IEC commissioner Nkaro Mateta said the commission said the violence undermines the election code of conduct.
“We, as the electoral commission, condemn any form of violence, no matter where it comes from,” said Mateta.
“We have a code of conduct that all political parties and independent candidates should adhere to. The IEC regrets that there were some people who were injured during this altercation.”
The violent confrontation left ANC members, Matome Morapama and Geoffrey Mohlamonyane, bruised, and their properties vandalised.
Shack and car vandalised
Morapama said: “During this disastrous campaign, I was walking with my two comrades when all of a sudden a Toyota Quantum pulled over next to us and the passengers pounced on us.
“The occupants, who were wearing EFF T-shirts, came out and started throwing bricks at us. A brick landed on my spinal cord, and I fell to the ground.
“While the other comrade managed to flee, the other one was assaulted with fists on the face.”
Mohlamonyane said he has been unable to get a good night’s sleep since the attack.
“I was rushed to Seshego Hospital, but upon returning, I was shocked to find my car and my shack vandalised,” said Mohlamonyane.
“Fearing for my life, I couldn’t sleep at my place because I was afraid that the attackers could return and finish me off. This incident really traumatised me.”
Area named after Julius Malema
It is understood that EFF members did not take kindly to the presence of ANC campaigners in Juju Valley, an area named after EFF leader Julius Malema.
The provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Thembi Hadebe, condemned the attack, stating that such behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
She said: “We deplore this senseless act of violence that has resulted in injuries to innocent individuals, including a child.
“The safety and security of our communities, especially during the election period, is of utmost importance.”
