Alleged ANC man shoots EFF marshal in the leg during Malema rally
Image: Tom Nkosi/AENS
Mpumalanga police are investigating a case of attempted murder following a shooting incident in which an Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) member sustained an injury to his leg while attending a Julius Malema election campaign in Nkomazi.
The shooting took place at the KaMaqhekeza stadium in KaMaqhekeza outside Komatipoort on Tuesday.
"Yes, I confirm that an attempted murder case has been opened. No one has been arrested, and the police are still investigating," said Tonga police spokesperson, Mzwandile Nyambi.
EFF supporter shot on the leg at KwaMachekeza, #Nkomazi by ANC people. Also, evidence of bullet holes on our van pic.twitter.com/N0Ge7zstgf
— EFF Official Account (@EFFSouthAfrica) May 24, 2016
EFF marshal, Senzo Thwala, who was wounded during the shooting, alleged that his assailant, who escorted an ANC councillor earlier in the day, refused to be searched before entering the stadium where Malema was due to address an election rally.
"They (ANC supporters) occupied the open ground not far from the stadium, where our meeting was to be held, claiming that they would be having a soccer tournament.
"We then moved our meeting to the stadium, and after we had set-up, we were surprised when the same person who had come earlier tried to force his way into the stadium, claiming that they now wanted to play soccer inside the stadium.
"I requested to search him, like everyone else, but he pulled out a gun and started shooting at us. We ran in different directions, and I think that’s when I got shot. I continued running, but fell down a few metres away,” said Thwala.
No other injuries were reported on the day.
A defiant Malema deviated from his electioneering speech, saying that some EFF leaders, fearing for his life, had advised him not to go to the stadium, but he did not want to be intimidated by the shooting.
Malema: if you were DA they would not shoot at you because they are afraid of whites. But they attack you because of jealousy of EFF success
— EFF Official Account (@EFFSouthAfrica) May 24, 2016
ANC provincial secretary, Mandla Ndlovu, condemned the violence and said that he has demanded a report from ANC leaders in Nkomazi.
- African Eye News Service