The African National Congress (ANC) in the Eastern Cape was awaiting details on Tuesday regarding a brawl at a party branch meeting which apparently landed some people in hospital.
Pemmy Majodina, the party’s deputy chairperson in the province, said the party had been told of ”fighting” at a branch meeting in Khayalethu village near Alice on Sunday.
”We received a report about people who were hospitalised but we do not have a full details of the incident.”
Majodina condemned the incident because ”irrespective of our differences, people must not fight”.
It was reported that a number of ANC members in Alice had sustained injuries after the branch meeting ended in an exchange of blows on Sunday afternoon.
A group of people apparently arrived at Khayalethu village during the registration process for an annual general meeting and called for its closure.
Tempers flared after it was found that the people who apparently disrupted the meeting did not belong to the branch.
Majodina dismissed allegations that the fight was between President Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma supporters.
”That is not true,” she said.
Majodina said disciplinary action would be taken against members if necessary because the party could not afford ”members who are fighting”.
Police spokesperson Captain Ernst Sigobe said charges of malicious damage to property and assault were being investigated.
The branch meeting has apparently been re-scheduled for February 17. – Sapa