Durban - The National Freedom Party’s campaign for next week’s by-election at KwaMashu Hostel was disrupted on Sunday when an armed mob fired shots into the air and marched on the hall where NFP president Zanele kaMagwaza-Msibi was addressing supporters.
Her plan was to visit at least four areas, including Sulabasha in the embattled hostel area, but when news spread about violent clashes between the ANC and IFP, who were also campaigning, the decision was made to withdraw.
Several NFP supporters called on their president not to be “bullied”, and for a planned march to Sulabasha to go ahead.
However, after consultation with police, kaMagwaza-Msibi said it would be too dangerous, and told supporters to return to the community hall.
The by-election, to be held on July 3, follows the resignation of IFP ward councillor Sakhi Ngcamu, who was elected in December. He resigned after being arrested in connection with the murder of a fellow IFP member. He was also charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm.
Meshack Khwela is running for the ANC, Qedusizi Buthelezi for the NFP, and Bongumusa Zondo for the IFP.
In a brief interview, an unfazed kaMagwaza-Msibi pointed out that the hostels were notorious for violence.
“People have a lot of fear, and we want to rid them of that fear before they come to vote next week. I have seen the level of poverty here. People are being treated like animals,” she said, after walking door to door in the IFP stronghold, accompanied by the police and armed private security.
KaMagwaza-Msibi also went into taverns and encouraged people to vote.
While she was addressing her supporters, IFP members armed with hammers, spears, pangas and guns marched on the hall, triggering fear and chaos among NFP supporters.
The police and security guards formed a human wall to keep the opposing sides apart.
* These are the second by-elections in the KwaMashu Hostel area in seven months after IFP councillor Themba Xulu was kidnapped and murdered last year.
The Mercury