Cape Town - Andile Lili has warned ANC leaders to “listen to the masses”.
This after the ANC Western Cape provincial executive committee member was “held hostage” by protesting residents in Khayelitsha on Saturday afternoon.
A group of disgruntled African National Congress (ANC) members stoned cars, barricaded a gate and burned tyres, in protest at the ANC’s preferred candidate for Ward 87, Tembinkosi Qobela.
Lili was sent to Site C to make the announcement, but said he was held hostage for about an hour by about 35 protestors in the Blue Hall.
Lili said he was not surprised by the disruption and violence, saying he himself along with other PEC members have written to the national office complaining about the listings process.
He said: “These people do not like the candidate and are even less impressed with the (Cape Town) mayoral candidate Xolani Sotashe. Our members believe the ANC is not taking them seriously. Yesterday (on Saturday) we were kept hostage for about an hour and my car was badly damaged. They threw petrol bombs and sang, vowing to vote for anyone but the ANC.
“We will try to engage with our people, but they are very angry and need to be heard.”
Protestors said they were angry because they were not consulted about the candidacy, and that they didn’t “have faith” in Qobela.
According to ANC spokesperson Yonela Diko, Lili attended a meeting to explain to the branch that the number one candidate, who they chose, will effectively be the ward candidate.
He explained: “A group of 10 members took to the gate outside and started throwing stones on cars. The number started growing as outsiders started assembling at the gate, which warranted a call to order policing to come and resolve the impasse.”
Daily Voice