The African National Congress (ANC) on Monday condemned the disruption of a Democratic Alliance (DA) meeting in Pretoria, but rejected claims that those responsible were ”bone fide” ANC members.
”Political parties enjoy freedom to rally for support and address their supporters anywhere in the country without any hindrance of so-called no-go areas,” said spokesperson Brian Sokutu in a statement.
Police fired rubber bullets to disperse a crowd that tried to prevent DA leader Helen Zille from addressing residents at Winterveldt, north of Pretoria on Sunday.
About 500 people had gathered at Slovoville Park, making fires and burning DA flags in front of a stage erected for Zille’s address, police said.
Seven people were arrested. Zille addressed her supporters and reportedly said if the people trying to disrupt her address were ANC members, President Jacob Zuma would be very embarrassed by their actions.
Sokutu thanked the police for handling the situation quickly.
”The ANC subscribes to a principle of political tolerance, which has been demonstrated over the many years of our democracy,” he said.
Any ANC member who disrupted meetings of other political parties would face internal disciplinary action and ”the full might of the law”. — Sapa