PAC protest causes tense stand-off

Human Rights Day celebrations in Johannesburg were marred yesterday by chaos as PAC members became involved in fist fights with security guards.

Demanding that they be included in the programme, about 80 PAC supporters marched into the George Thabe stadium in Sharpeville during the commemoration of the 1960 Sharpeville massacre. They carried placards reading, "Zuma takes APLA for fish and chips - away Zuma" and "Who are the beneficiaries of the struggle? APLA".

The group protested against the exclusion of other political parties, including the PAC, from the official programme.

Only ANC politicians were scheduled to address the event in Sharpeville.

The PAC's Mbuyiswa Gantsu said protestors felt sidelined by the ANC who, they claimed, had taken control of a significant day which they also wanted to celebrate.

"Some members would like the PAC to commemorate alone because they feel the ANC celebrates alone," he said.

The event was delayed for almost an hour as the disgruntled group sang struggle songs, shouted at event organisers and vented their anger at security guards and police.

"What is being celebrated here?" shouted the group before a tense stand-off with police.

COPE's Clara Motau tried to calm the crowd, but said she understood PAC members' feelings.

"The massacre didn't only happen to ANC people. Everyone was affected," she said.

The original programme listed only ANC speakers, but other parties were eventually given a platform to address the gathering.

Gauteng premier Nomvula Mokonyane urged the crowd not to forget South Africa "belongs to everyone, both black and white".