Tensions are flaring up between the ANC and the EFF in Limpopo days before the national and provincial elections.
As the country edges closer to the seventh general elections, the simmering tensions between two of the top three political formations blew up on Sunday in an informal settlement in Seshego, Polokwane.
Juju Valley, named after EFF leader Julius Malema, is a known stronghold of the red berets and was the scene of gunfire and violent clashes over the weekend that led to people being injured, including a child who was shot in the head.
After a decision by EFF Limpopo chairperson Jossey Buthane to ditch the red berets and join the ANC, the ANC in the Peter Mokaba region felt it was time to make inroads in the Juju Valley area. The party conducted door-to-door campaigning on Sunday.
Their presence, however, was allegedly met with resistance from EFF members and gunfire erupted, leading to the child being injured. She has since undergone surgery.
The EFF and ANC have condemned the violent clashes, with the EFF calling for calm.
The party's provincial convenor Godrich Gardee said political parties ought to refrain from making “provocative statements that could escalate tensions further”.
“As we approach the elections, it is essential for leaders to foster a peaceful and conducive environment for free and fair campaigning. Elections should not be a course or trigger for loss of lives, as it occurs in other countries and other provinces,” said Gardee.
The ANC's Peter Mokaba chairperson John Mpe laid the blame on the EFF, saying the red berets were trying to create a "no-go" area in the province.
Mpe said there could not be a no-go area in a democratic country, specially during election season when political parties are free to campaign anywhere.
Those who shot randomly must be the ones who take responsibility, and that is the EFF
— ANC Peter Mokaba chairperson John Mpe
“Our own comrades felt we are ready to do door-to-door, almost 2,000 of them, and that we can't be stopped. It is our democratic right to campaign everywhere,” said Mpe.
“Whether I as a leader should have calmed the situation, I can calm members of the ANC but I cannot tell them they cannot campaign because another political party has created a no-go area.”
Mpe told TimesLIVE Premium on Tuesday the ANC had made it clear days in advance that it planned to campaign in the area, and the EFF took a decision to blockade the area and allegedly arm themselves.
He said it was not up to the EFF to dictate whether the people in Juju Valley reject or welcome the ANC.
“Why can’t the EFF be asked why it can’t stop their people burning tyres and preventing people coming into the area to campaign?" he said.
“If the people of Juju Valley don’t want the ANC, no one can force them. No one can force the people to 'vote for me', but the people in Juju Valley are not free. They are the most oppressed people with no right to choose a political party.”
Mpe said on arrival, ANC members were met with gunfire and had stones thrown at them and they returned fire.
“There was a huge resistance at the entrance to the area to say 'you can’t cross this line'. We insisted on crossing that line because it is our democratic right to do door-to-door, to campaign everywhere in the country.
“If Juju Valley is a stronghold of the EFF, fair enough. My village is a stronghold of the ANC but they [EFF] are putting their posters everywhere, including next to my house, but I don’t complain because it’s their democratic right.”
Mpe alleged the bullet that hit the child came from the EFF side of the confrontation.
“Those who shot randomly must be the ones who take responsibility, and that is the EFF. The child was injured on our side and that is why we used an ANC car and take the child to the nearest hospital,” he said.
Mpe has denied allegations he was seen drawing a firearm during the tensions.
Mpe said the ANC would on Thursday return to Juju Valley.
The EFF has called for the Electoral Commission of South Africa and police to investigate the incident.
“It is very crucial that the authorities examine all activities leading up to and including the day of this incident,” said Gardee.
“We call on all EFF members and leaders not to fall into the trap of provocation that threatens to disrupt the victory of the EFF on May 29.”
Gardee said all parties had the right to freely campaign across the province.
TimesLIVE
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