Pretoria - Outgoing Tshwane Mayor Kgosientso Ramokgopa on Tuesday said the violence unleashed across the capital city cannot continue in his name.
"The message we are simply conveying is that the torching of buildings, destruction of assets and threatening life and limb is at variance with what the ANC represents. It can’t be done in the name of any ANC leader, including myself. It’s an untenable situation which is unacceptable," Ramokgopa told reporters in strife-ravaged Atteridgeville, west of Pretoria.
"This must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. There is no amount of grievance or displeasure that can merit the kind of responses that we have seen in parts of this city, including here."
He said the other message when the high-level ANC delegation (including Ramokgopa, ANC Tshwane provincial chairperson Paul Mashatile and ANC national executive committee member Aaron Motsoaledi) met Atteridgeville ANC members was about mobilising support behind mayoral candidate Thoko Didiza.
"I think it’s important that such a message comes through, that people need to have an appreciation of ANC processes. The culmination of those processes is what the NEC communicated to us."
Ramokgopa appealed for "peace and tranquillity” across Pretoria.
"There must not be disruptions to people’s daily lives. A decision (to have Didiza as mayoral candidate) is here before us and we have to respect it. We don’t just have to respect it, but to support it enthusiastically," said Ramokgopa.
He said the disgruntled members need to understand that "nothing would be resolved under such conditions".
"If you continue torching, there is no business why your grievances should be listened to. Law enforcement agencies must ensure that they have a grip on the situation," he said.
Ramokgopa said ANC leaders would visit branches across Tshwane on Wednesday to emphasise Didiza’s candidacy.
Violence has rocked Pretoria since Sunday as news filtered in indicating that Didiza would be named as the city’s mayoral candidate for the ANC, ahead of Ramokgopa.
Residents said they were not happy with Didiza and wanted Ramokgopa to remain in his position.
On Tuesday morning, huge boulders were placed on the usually busy WF Nkomo Street leading into Atteridgeville. A delivery truck had been torched.
Hours earlier, a large police contingent, including members of the tactical response team, went into Atteridgeville and cleared the many roads littered with rubble and dirt.
On Monday, three metro police officers had to flee for their own safety when they were attacked by the protesters.
ANA