The African National Congress in KwaZulu-Natal is to lay charges of intimidation against the Inkatha Freedom Party and complain to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) following two alleged incidents in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands on Tuesday.
In a statement, the ANC in the province said it is extremely concerned about the behaviour of IFP members, who, it said, have disrupted ANC election campaigns.
“A mob of about 50 people wearing IFP T-shirts blocked about 50 cars of ANC leadership (most of them MPs and MPLs) from entering Wembezi Township’s C section.
“The ANC leadership was told in no uncertain terms that they were not welcome in the area. On assessing the situation, the ANC then decided to move the campaign to another section of the township,” the statement said.
In another incident in Weenen, where the ANC was conducting a similar campaign, two IFP vehicles “entered the area with loudspeakers on their rooftops and handing out T-shirts in an attempt to disrupt the ANC’s canvassing”.
“The police then escorted these IFP hotheads out of the area.”
The ANC intends to lay charges of intimidation against the IFP and complain to the IEC, as this is a clear violation of the recently signed Electoral Code of Conduct.
“It is clear that the message has not filtered down to the IFP membership on the ground.”
However, it is still not too late for the IFP to heed the ANC’s call for joint rallies to be held to promote the code of conduct.
The ANC is committed to free and fair elections and will ensure that every citizen’s right to vote for the party of their choice, as enshrined in the Constitution, is protected.
“The ANC commends the police for their cooperation in these two incidents, despite provocation from the IFP,” the statement said. — Sapa
Special Report: Elections 2004