Old KZN tensions flare up

Sihle Zikalala. File picture: Sandile Makhoba

Sihle Zikalala. File picture: Sandile Makhoba

Published Sep 28, 2015

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Durban - Tensions flared in Lindelani, KwaDukuza, again when IFP supporters blocked the ANC from conducting a door-to-door campaign in a section of the township on Sunday.

The ANC was in the township as part of a mini-rally that was to be addressed by provincial secretary, Sihle Zikalala.

The drama unfolded on the main road when ANC members were blocked from entering Section F, an IFP stronghold, by armed party supporters.

Confrontation between the two groups was avoided when the police asked the ANC to campaign in other areas.

A man was also reportedly stabbed in the hand, but it was unclear under what circumstances.

The area has a history of political intolerance. During last year’s elections, ANC member Winnie Mhlongo was shot dead outside a voting station, and an IFP member was arrested in connection with the suspected political killing.

Speaking at the mini-rally, ANC KwaDukuza regional chairman, Ricardo Mthembu, said: “We could not fight them, hence we chose to turn away and took another route.”

ANC Youth provincial deputy chairman, Kwazi Mshengu, said “no-go areas” should no longer be allowed and that the youth body should lead the oppressed people of Lindelani to “freedom”.

Zikalala said their presence in the area was a declaration that local IFP councillor, Jabulani Sibiya, would be voted out of office in the 2016 municipal elections. He said the will of the majority would prevail and the residents of Lindelani would not be “oppressed” forever.

“Comrades, we must go and ask the people of South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal and KwaDukuza to vote ANC in 2016 municipal elections,” Zikalala said.

But, IFP national chairman, Blessed Gwala, said although he did not have the details of the incident, the ANC often conducted door-to-door campaigns in the area, which provoked residents.

Meanwhile, the mini-rally was turned into a launch pad for Zikalala’s campaign to be the next KZN ANC chairman.

It was announced at the rally that, apart from the league, seven ANC regions wanted Zikalala to challenge incumbent chairman, Senzo Mchunu, over the weekend of November 5-8.

Mshengu said their choice for Zikalala’s candidature was based on the observation that the party needed to be relevant and adapt to material conditions in a society that was becoming younger.

“The ANC must appreciate change and development in society, and we want it to be reflected in the leadership of this province through Khuzeni (Zikalala’s clan name) as provincial chairman,” Mshengu said.

He said the new leadership under Zikalala would not owe anyone, be it councillor, mayor or MEC positions.

“It will be owing the organisation unity and stability.

“It will be owing everything to the organisation and generations that must inherit this organisation.”

Mthembu said the debate on leadership change did not mean there was hatred of any leader or that anyone was not deserving to lead.

He said former president, Chief Albert Luthuli, was encouraged by the league to stand for leadership because of prevailing conditions in the country and the ANC at the time.

“There is no Khuzeni who wanted to be chairman.

“It is us who said you are have grown enough to lead the ANC,” he said.

Zikalala, who made no reference to the provincial conference, said the Youth League should not be afraid to speak on youth matters.

He poured scorn on those who had already started talking about the ANC 2017 congress.

Zikalala also dismissed the so-called “premier league”, which is associated with Free State, Mpumalanga and North West premiers.

“People who come with premier league are people who come with conspiracy.

“If there is no confusion, they don’t succeed.

“Whenever there is confusion, anyone becomes a leader.”

Daily News

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