By Doreen Mokgolo
A fight between members of the ANC and the newly-formed uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK) party broke out in Duduza, Ekurhuleni, during voter registration on Saturday,
The spark was the long-simmering battle between ANC voting district coordinator Ntahle Moloi and MK’s local representative Nomathemba Bhubhu.
The two had previously served various ANC structures before Bhubhu decided to join MK.
ANC members had made lighthearted remarks on social media about Bhubhu leaving the ANC for MK, and by Saturday she had had enough.
Speaking to Scrolla.Africa, Moloi said she was surprised when she greeted Bhubhu at the Dan Radebe Primary School voting station and found her former colleague was hostile towards her.
“I could not understand this because though we serve different political parties, that doesn’t mean we are now enemies. We can all exist and serve our parties.
“She assaulted me with a mug to my face and this led to other members of the ANC joining in, in my defence, and members of MK,” she said.
Bhubhu said she felt disrespected by Moloi and some members of the ANC who were making negative remarks about her joining MK.
“I know I acted out of character by starting the scuffle, but at that moment I felt I had to fight back to protect my dignity.
“I felt disrespected because I know her character and she was pushing me intentionally to provoke me,” she said.
ANC Ekurhuleni regional task team coordinator Jongizizwe Dlabathi said Bhubhu’s actions undermine democratic principles and the Electoral Act which promotes free and fair campaigning by all.
“Inhumane and barbaric behaviour must never be given space in our democracy,” he said.
Duduza police spokesperson Sergeant Harry Manaka confirmed that the two parties came to the station to open cases on Saturday afternoon.
“They later asked for a police officer to mediate as they tried to resolve their differences. Through the help of the police they decided not to go forward with opening the cases and [agreed to] put aside their differences,” he said.
Manaka urged members of political parties to exercise tolerance during the campaigns leading up to the national elections.
Pictured above: Ntahle Moloi.
Image source: Supplied
