The South Africa government has condemned an attack on Cape Town mayor Helen Zille during the disruption of a meeting over the weekend.
”Government condemns this kind of behaviour without qualification. Our Constitution guarantees free political activity for all parties and individuals,” government spokesperson Joel Netshitenzhe said on Monday.
”Irrespective of differences that citizens may have on any issue, and whatever the circumstances surrounding the organisation of any lawful gathering, all of us are required to express our views in a civil manner.”
Zille said she would demand police protection before going into townships again after receiving a head injury at the meeting in Crossroads on Saturday.
Zille laid a charge of assault after African National Congress supporters hurled chairs at her and threatened her with a knife on Saturday.
The ANC said although the organisation was against violence, the incident must be read in context.
Western Cape ANC chairperson James Ngculu reportedly accused Zille of heightening tensions in Crossroads.
Zille dismissed Ngculu’s allegations as ludicrous, saying she had been working in the community for 25 years to promote non-violence and would continue to do so.
However, this and previous incidents during which she was threatened by ANC supporters since she had become mayor, had forced her to reconsider her own safety while attending public meetings.
”In the past, I got into my car and drove to the townships,” Zille said.
”In future, I won’t do that without police protection.”
She said as Charles Khanku, local chair of the SA National Civics Organisation moved to open the meeting, a man stood up from among the ANC supporters and approached the stage with a chair in his hands.
”The man said he was one of the striking security guards and that I was doing nothing to help them. He hurled his chair at the people on stage,” the mayor said.
”The other ANC supporters also stood up threateningly and toyi-toyied towards the stage with raised chairs. They hurled the chairs at us.”
Security guards indicated that Zille should leave the hall, and as she was doing so, a chair hit her on the head.
Max Ozinsky, deputy secretary for the ANC in the Western Cape, said Zille had visited the area without telling the ANC councillor, Elese Depoutch, or the party’s leadership about it.
”She has been working in the area for the past six or seven years, and she has always supported those who disrupted the ANC meetings,” said Ozinsky.
Zille said although she had left a message for the ANC councillor, she did not need anybody’s permission to visit black communities.
”It’s my constitutional right. During the years of apartheid the police tried to stop me, and now it’s the ANC.”
Netshitenzhe said it was critical that leadership offices provided for in the country’s Constitution, and individuals occupying these offices, were accorded the respect they deserved.
He said the government expected the police to follow up on the matter and ensure the law took its course. – Sapa