The African Nation Congress had asked its members to back Thoko Didiza as Tshwane’s mayoral candidate‚ but ANC protesters in the capital insisted they would only settle for getting “Sputla back”.
Sputla is current executive mayor Kgosientso Sputla Ramokgopa‚ who was sidelined during an intervention by the ANC’s national leadership‚ which overruled the local branches’ choices and led to overnight violence that saw more than 20 buses torched‚ roads blockaded and business looted.
Large parts of Atteridgeville‚ Ga-Rankuwa and Mamelodi were no-go zones on Tuesday as police were stretched to contain flare-ups of violence.
“If they don’t bring Sputla to come back here we are not going to vote‚” an ANC protester threatens in reference to the August 3 municipal polls.
Another pleas with the leader of the ruling party and the country: “We are begging you Mr Jacob Zuma bring Sputla back.”
“Sputla wherever you are‚ we are here for you. Come back to ANC Sputla.”
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