People who came to the launch of Agang at the Pretoria Show Grounds in Tshwana cheer as the leader of the party addresses them. 220613 Picture: Boxer Ngwenya People who came to the launch of Agang at the Pretoria Show Grounds in Tshwana cheer as the leader of the party addresses them. 220613 Picture: Boxer Ngwenya
Johannesburg - Almost a year after Limpopo police complained that they were tired of putting out fires at chaotic political meetings, Agang SA and ANC members have clashed at Mokopane as tension rises ahead of next year’s general election.
Agang members on a recruitment drive at Mozombane village exchanged blows with local ANC members. This resulted in a car belonging to ANC councillor Sammy Mathebula being damaged.
It’s not clear who started the fight.
Agang communications head Thabo Leshilo said politically intolerant ANC members had provoked his party’s supporters before manhandling them.
Limpopo ANC task team provincial secretary Joy Matshoge said Agang “hooligans” and “purveyors of violence” were the ones who attacked Mathebula.
The clash is the latest case of intimidation, threats and political intolerance to have rocked parts of South Africa over the past few months.
Political rivals have clashed in Limpopo, the Western Cape, North West and KwaZulu-Natal.
In some cases, the clashes resulted in the killings of ANC, IFP and National Freedom Party members.
Limpopo police spokesman Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said two people had been arrested in connection with the Mokopane incident.
“Apparently Agang people were on a recruitment drive. There were clashes between themselves and some members of the ANC,” Mulaudzi said.
“That scuffle led to us being called to come and defuse the situation. Two Agang members were arrested for public violence and were released on a warning.”
In August last year, Mulaudzi told The Star that Limpopo police were tired of intervening at chaotic political meetings where drunks threatened each other, clashed violently and even exchanged missiles.
This came after a clash between Julius Malema and President Jacob Zuma’s supporters.
The Star