The ANC Youth League in Mpumalanga on Tuesday disputed claims by the Govan Mbeki municipality that it was to blame for vandalism during a recent protest in Secunda.
“The ANC Youth League in Gert Sibande region is utterly disgusted, shocked and amused,” the league said.
The municipality said on Monday it would seek R60 000 for damages, allegedly caused by members of the league's local chapter. The league however claimed vandals had damaged public property during its economic freedom march on May 25.
“To date we have not received any communiqué from the municipality or its lawyers,” the league claimed.
It intended informing all the march's participants of the municipality's demands as soon as it had received formal communication.
Municipal spokesman Themba Motlhankana said on Monday permission for the march was granted – on condition that the league and its participating members take responsibility for any destruction of property.
A fence was damaged, the seat of a tractor was set alight, and the windows of an Isuzu truck were smashed. The screen of a petrol pump was vandalised and the windows of a security guard's shelter were also broken.
“The individuals who caused all these damages cannot be positively identified... (therefore) the municipality will recover the loss suffered from the Gert Sibande ANC Youth League,” Motlhankana said. – Sapa