Kimberley - While the Kimberley police are investigation a total of 10 criminal cases after violence erupted at this weekend’s provincial conference of the Economic Freedom Fighters in the city, the party has indicated that the conference will go ahead as planned.
The police confirmed on Monday that a total of 10 cases had been opened by individuals, including cases of assault, assault with intend to do grievous bodily harm, malicious damage to property and discharging a firearm in a municipal area.
Chaos erupted on Sunday afternoon during the EFF’s provincial conference being held at the Savoy Hotel, as members armed with bricks, machetes and pangs tore into each other, trashing the venue and leaving a trail of blood.
The party’s provincial leader, Aubrey Baartman, said on Monday that he was waiting for a response from their national office on what action to take.
Baartman added that the conference was going ahead as planned and he was seeking direction from the national office.
The Provincial conference got out of hand after a split in the nomination of candidates for leadership positions.
Incumbent leader Baartman is going head-to-head with Ronald Februarie for the position of provincial chairman.
Baartman said on Monday that he had already spoken to the national leadership on what steps to take next.
“I am just sorting out a venue where the conference will be held. The conference will take place in the next 14 days,” Baartman said.
He said he had drafted a report regarding the weekend’s events.
“The co-ordinator and I have drafted a report on what transpired during the conference. The national office will now decide on what action should be taken against those members who got out of hand. There is a code of conduct stipulating how members should conduct themselves and this is serious misconduct which should result in expulsion. Some members were acting like gangsters, running around with stones and weapons and serious action should be taken against them,” said Baartman.
He added that he was not aware that Februarie would be contesting his position as provincial leader.
“I only learned on Friday, as the conference was about to kick off, that Ronald was contesting my position. There were rumours a few weeks prior to the conference that he might also be running, but I didn’t take it to heart. We had a list of nominees we wanted to nominate during the elections. On the list was myself as provincial leader, George Nakana for secretary, Kagisang Mogosi for Deputy Secretary and Dirk Andrews for Treasurer. Ronald and his supporters had their list of nominees,” said Baartman.
He denied allegations that he had bought votes from members for R10 000.
“They must provide proof of how I paid people for votes. They were the ones who brought weapons to the conference,” he said.
Baartman said although he was not assaulted himself, he intended opening a complaint against conference member Danisile Seko, for discharging a firearm.
“Danisile discharged a firearm into the air at the parking area of the New Park shopping complex. The national office will also direct us on how to deal with this matter,” said Baartman.
He said on Monday he had already made arrangements with the Savoy Hotel regarding the damages caused to the premises.
“The Savoy Hotel will make a list of the damages incurred. I am in negotiations with them on the matter. The issue with the bus that transported member has been resolved,” Baartman said. The front windscreen of the bus was smashed with bricks.
He also denied allegations that he had power over the security measures applied during the conference.
Members of the splinter group said they were searched by security guards but supporters of Baartman were allowed to go into the conference facility with weapons and were not searched.
“The security was very tight at the conference. All delegates were searched. I was searched maybe two or three times by security. This entire thing was orchestrated because the bricks were on Danisile’s bakkie and I am not sure where they got the pangas from so fast,” said Baartman.
He said Februarie and Makause must take the fall for the behaviour of disgruntled members.
Februarie meanwhile said on Monday that he had opened charges against two people in Baarman’s camp after they had allegedly assaulted him inside the conference venue.
He added that he would not allow Baartman to corrupt the party.
“I will not allow Baartman to take an organisation that was built for poor people and make it crooked,” he said.
Meanwhile the Kimberley police confirmed that several cases were reported by members of the party.
“A total of ten cases were opened. These include cases of assault, assault with intend to do grievous bodily harm, malicious damage to property and discharging a firearm in a municipal area. No arrests have been made,” police spokesman Lieutenant Donald Mdhuli said.
The Savoy Hotel declined to comment and the hotel manager, Raj Maistry said it was an internal matter.
The EFF’s national office could not be reached for comment.
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