An argument between Independent Democrats, including leader Patricia de Lille, and African National Congress members ended in a scuffle in an Upington hotel, the two parties said on Tuesday.
The ANC claimed one of their members had his face slapped by De Lille in Monday night’s incident. The ID leader, however, only went so far as to admit to a ”scuffle”.
Police spokesperson Senior Superintendent Rita Crafford said various charges including assault and intimidation had been laid by both parties.
Hotel manager Roy Martin said the ID members were checking out of the hotel at about 11pm when ANC members arrived in the foyer to check in.
An argument broke out.
ANC Namaqualand district council chairperson, Joshua Losper, said De Lille had made uncomplimentary remarks about President Thabo Mbeki, which provoked the argument.
Losper said De Lille told the hotel receptionist she felt endangered by the ANC members and was unhappy with security. He said De Lille had slapped him ”on both cheeks”.
”I asked the receptionist to use the phone but (an ID member) took the phone out of my hand.”
Losper said the ANC members laid charges at the Upington police station.
”I laid charges against her (De Lille) of assault and also told the police I want to lay another charge in connection with the Electoral Act. I’m still waiting about that.”
Martin confirmed the hotel had video footage of the incident but it did not include sound.
De Lille blamed the ANC for the incident, saying an ANC member had followed her into her room. She felt threatened and asked the hotel management to call police.
She said the hotel refused and only phoned police once a scuffle broke out.
De Lille said she had laid a charge against the hotel for threatening her security, calling the hotel staff ”very hostile”.
She said she had also laid a charge of intimidation against Losper.
The police arrived and calmed the situation.
Martin said neither he nor the hotel had laid any charges against any of the brawlers. About 10 people were involved in the altercation, he said.
Crafford said De Lille was ”not implicated in any of the cases that are being investigated”. – Sapa