Violence within the North West Province ANC has worsened. This week there were more stabbings and assaults and the party’s regional offices were torched.
The conflict apparently escalated after provincial secretary Supra Mahumapelo served 18 party members with letters of suspension. They were accused of disrupting the provincial conference at Sun City two months ago.
The accused refused to accept the letters, denying they were at the conference. But North West ANC spokesperson Lolo Mashiane said there is video evidence to support the charges.
The latest conflict started on Sunday with an attempt to serve youth league member Kenny Morolong with a party charge sheet. He refused to accept it and, with several supporters, allegedly beat ANC sub-regional secretary Aaron Motswana and party member Sipho Phaziwe with a spanner. Morolong’s supporters are also accused of torching the ANC regional offices.
They appeared in the Schweizer-Reneke Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday on charges of attempted murder, assault with intent to commit grievous bodily harm and malicious damage to property.
Alfred Motsi, chairperson of the Mkhonto weSizwe Military Veterans’ Association in the province, suggested the charges were trumped up by Mahumapelo’s group to get rid of opponents. ”They are trying to intimidate people,” said Motsi.