DA MP Phumzile van Damme 'assaulted' at Medupi power plant
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Image: Phumzile van Damme via Twitter
DA MP Phumzile van Damme has claimed that she was assaulted by security guards at Eskom's Medupi Power Station in Limpopo on Wednesday.
This, she said, was during a peaceful picket by her party outside the plant.
Van Damme said she had laid charges of assault, crimen injuria and unlawful seizure of property at the Lephalale Police Station on Wednesday afternoon.
SAPS confirmed that the case was opened.
Imini iyeza. pic.twitter.com/WV9AaSxp4e
— Phumzile Van Damme (@zilevandamme) March 27, 2019
Van Damme said she expected a full apology from Eskom, but said this did not mean she would drop the charges.
In a series of tweets, Van Damme explained what happened.
The party had decided to picket outside the station to demonstrate against load-shedding.
The security at Medupi have been rude & aggressive. We have been threatened with arrest by the Security Manager who said the one of the guards “bring firearms” We are not moving. They can come. We have a duty to conduct oversight & will not kowtow to threats #KeepTheLightsOn
— Phumzile Van Damme (@zilevandamme) March 27, 2019
The story of our peaceful picket at Medupi ended up in security pushing our activsts, I manhandled by four men my lip was cut & bled. Let me make one thing clear upfront: Eskom will not intimidate us. We are unfettered, on Friday there will be mass action. #KeepTheLightsOn
— Phumzile Van Damme (@zilevandamme) March 27, 2019
So we arrive at Medupi’s gate. The security tells us to wait outside. We do so. In the meantime we’re sworn at, names called. I say I’d like it go in & conduct oversight as is my duty as an MP. The Communications Manager so OK, we must wait outside he’ll call someone to escort me
— Phumzile Van Damme (@zilevandamme) March 27, 2019
The security at Medupi have been rude & aggressive. We have been threatened with arrest by the Security Manager who said the one of the guards “bring firearms” We are not moving. They can come. We have a duty to conduct oversight & will not kowtow to threats #KeepTheLightsOn
— Phumzile Van Damme (@zilevandamme) March 27, 2019
The story of our peaceful picket at Medupi ended up in security pushing our activsts, I manhandled by four men my lip was cut & bled. Let me make one thing clear upfront: Eskom will not intimidate us. We are unfettered, on Friday there will be mass action. #KeepTheLightsOn
— Phumzile Van Damme (@zilevandamme) March 27, 2019
So we arrive at Medupi’s gate. The security tells us to wait outside. We do so. In the meantime we’re sworn at, names called. I say I’d like it go in & conduct oversight as is my duty as an MP. The Communications Manager so OK, we must wait outside he’ll call someone to escort me
— Phumzile Van Damme (@zilevandamme) March 27, 2019
Police spokesperson Brig Motlafela Mojapelo confirmed that a case of assault was opened by Van Damme following the "alleged commotion" that took place at the power station at 11.30am.
"The security guards allegedly involved in the scuffle had also opened counter charges against her," Mojapelo said.
Eskom has not yet commented on the matter. This story will be updated when the power utility issues a statement.
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