There was no sign of ANC Youth League rioters in Johannesburg’s city centre on Wednesday when a disciplinary hearing against their leader, Julius Malema, and his co-accused was scheduled to continue.
No supporters were in evidence by 10am, in contrast to Tuesday when rioters thronged the streets, hurled broken bricks and glass bottles at journalists and police officers and burned posters and T-shirts bearing pictures of President Jacob Zuma’s face.
By Wednesday morning, rocks littering the streets had been moved to the sides of the roads around Luthuli House.
Passersby were strolling through Beyers Naude square, which was strewn with litter and empty beer bottles.
Police officials said a colleague who was struck by a rock on Tuesday had received stitches in hospital and was back on duty on Wednesday.
Roads around Luthuli House, where there was a strong police presence, were briefly closed at about 10am and then reopened.
Journalists who had arrived early expressed nervousness ahead of the second day of the hearing.
Jacaranda FM reporter Melissa du Preez — who was groped and manhandled by rioters on Tuesday — said she was hoping she wouldn’t have to fear for her life again.
“I’m hoping it will be a bit more restrained. I was frightened when driving here this morning and praying that other journalists would be here early as well. There’s safety in numbers.”
Eyewitness News reporter Andrea van Wyk was also groped, sworn at and called a bitch and an “Afriforum agent”.
“I will be a bit more cautious today and I hope demonstrators will heed Malema’s call not to target journalists.”
Most businesses were open after closing their doors on Tuesday when Malema’s supporters became violent.
A policeman and six journalists were hit by rocks, including Carte Blanche cameraman Dudley Saunders, who had a bleeding gash on his forehead, according to reports on Wednesday.
South African Press Association photographer Werner Beukes, eNews journalists Belinda Moses and Cathy Mohlahlana, the Star photographer Boxer Ngwenya and Citizen photographer Michel Bega were also hit by rocks thrown by Malema’s supporters.
The ANC said on Tuesday the hearing would be moved to a different venue, but spokesperson Jackson Mthembu on Wednesday morning said it would continue at Luthuli House.
Photo gallery: Chaos outside Luthuli House
“The hearing will be held at Luthuli House, however if the situation does not improve from Tuesday, it will be moved to an alternative venue,” Mthembu said.
“The national disciplinary committee would make the final decision when or if to move venues.”
Malema, league spokesperson Floyd Shivambu, deputy-president Ronald Lamola, secretary general Sindiso Magaqa, his deputy, Kenetswe Mosenogi and treasurer general Pule Mabe face charges of bringing the ANC into disrepute and sowing divisions among ANC ranks.
This was after Malema said the ANCYL would send a team to Botswana to consolidate local opposition parties and help bring about regime change, as it believed the government there was “in full cooperation with imperialists” and was undermining the “African agenda”.
Business Day reported that Malema suffered a setback at the start after failing in a bid to have the ANC members conducting the hearing recused. – Sapa
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