Chaos at Magaqa Soweto memorial
Chaos erupted as leadership contestation within the ANC played out at Sindiso Magaqa's memorial service in Soweto on Wednesday.
Groups from the ANC Youth League (ANCLY) disrupted speeches as they sang and danced in support of different leaders set to campaign in the upcoming ANC presidential election.
WATCH: ANC supporters disrupt ANCYL SG Njabulo Nzuza's address at #SindisoMagaqa memorial in Soweto. pic.twitter.com/cIm55sfQOj
— Bafana Nzimande (@nzimandebafana) September 13, 2017
The chaos started when ANCYL SG Njabulo Nzuza stepped up to the podium to deliver a tribute.
The audience broke into song and refused to listen to Nzuza.
Watch the moment Sindiso Magaqa's memorial turned into chaos. Groups from the ANC Youth League disrupted speeches. @ThatDudeBeeKay pic.twitter.com/Dm9z7ePLWe
— Times LIVE (@TimesLIVE) September 14, 2017
Marshals were called in to contain the situation but the groups forged ahead‚ some waving three fingers signalling a third term for the Zuma surname.
WATCH: Chaos at #SindisoMagaqa memorial in Soweto. Program halted. pic.twitter.com/F680evLYqV
— Bafana Nzimande (@nzimandebafana) September 13, 2017
President Jacob Zuma's ex-wife‚ Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma‚ is regarded as one of the front-runners in the race to succeed him as party leader at the ANC's elective conference in December and ultimately as the country's next president. Her main rival is Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa.
ANC senior member Sizakele Nkosi Malobane walked into the crowd in a bid to plead with the audience to respect Magaqa's wife who was in attendance‚ but the request fell on deaf ears.
WATCH: 'The ANC cannot continue to be led by pensioners' Lamola speaks at Magaqa's memorial. @ThatDudeBeeKay pic.twitter.com/5pUDdQLjaI
— Times LIVE (@TimesLIVE) September 14, 2017
WATCH: ANCYL members that are not prepared to listen to speakers are told to leave #SindisoMagaqa memorial in Soweto. pic.twitter.com/Iwl4SLI3gT
— Bafana Nzimande (@nzimandebafana) September 13, 2017
The groups continued until some were forced to leave the hall by men in military gear.
The programme continued with a large number of empty seats.