Violent protests continued for the second day running in Atteridgeville and Mamelodi in Tshwane, where residents are protesting against the naming of former cabinet minister, Thoko Didiza, as the city’s mayoral candidate for the African National Congress (ANC).
A live report from EWN early Tuesday said there were at least three vehicles – a bus and two trucks – that were on fire in Atteridgeville, where roads were blocked with burning tyres. Shops were also looted.
Residents said they were not happy with Didiza and wanted mayor Kgosientso Ramokgopa to remain in his position.
However, Ramokgopa on Tuesday distanced himself from people protesting in his name, saying he was backing Didiza to take over.
“We (are) calling on law enforcement agencies to ensure we get a grip on the situation,” said the outgoing Tshwane mayor who is an ANC member.
The government on Tuesday condemned the violence in Tshwane in which as many as 19 buses have been torched.
“Government condemns in the strongest terms the outbreak of violence and destruction of property which has occurred in areas in the City of Tshwane,” said a statement issued early Tuesday by the Government Communication and Information Systems (GCIS).
Late on Monday the Democratic Alliance (DA) called for calm.
“Tonight I call for calm in the City of Tshwane after the violence that erupted in Atteridgeville, Mamelodi, Soshanguve and Hammanskraal today – over the ANC’s imposed Mayoral Candidate, Thoko Didiza – escalated this evening,” said Solly Msimanga, the DA Mayoral Candidate for Tshwane.
Msimanga said the DA condemns the factions within the ANC that are fanning the flames of violence.
“I challenge ANC Secretary General Gwede Mantashe to intervene and stop the ANC infighting spilling further onto the streets of our City,” said Msimanga.
However, the ANC said the violence was not of its own doing but an act of criminality.
Click here for video footage of the protest.
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