Tshwarelo Hunter Mogakane
WARNING: Article contains graphic images
An ANC member was gunned down and scores of others forced to flee for their lives after a biennial branch general meeting turned violent in North West on Sunday.
The incident happened in Madibeng Ward 20 at Mothotlung near Brits, leaving a passer by wounded and hospitalised, according to sources and eye witnesses. It left another woman hospitalised after hit with a bullet at the back.
A witness who spoke to the Pretoria News on condition of anonymity said the shooting happened before the ANC meeting could sit.
"There was an ANC meeting about to proceed when we heard loud gunshots. We suddenly saw ANC members running out of the venue, but a few minutes later they returned and we went to the scene with them.
“A local comrade named Ofentse Nkomo lay on the ground visibly dead while a bleeding lady was struggling to get up," said the witness.
He said the assailants had already fled the scene in a BMW X6.
"It was a horrible scene. The ANC member was shot from behind. Police who attended the incident said the cartridges at the scene suggested they used an R5 rifle. This is concerning because ANC infighting has now resulted in an innocent woman being injured," said the man.
North West provincial police said of the incident: "According to information available at this stage, reports suggest that the 38-year-old man was outside of Mothotlung Community Hall where he attended a meeting. He was still outside the hall when a white BMW vehicle entered and stopped in the yard.
“It is alleged that two occupants wearing face masks alighted from the vehicle and opened fire on the man. In the process, a 30-year-old woman was struck on her left thigh by a stray bullet. The suspects then jumped into their vehicle and fled from the scene," said provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone.
Mokgwabone said the male victim was certified dead on the scene while the female passerby was rushed to hospital for treatment.
"The motive is unknown at this stage. No one has been arrested and investigation into the matter continues," he said.
However, the police would not provide the name of the deceased, although the family had already been informed.
"The family is aware, but I personally had a challenge when I tried to clear the release of the name," Mokgwabone said.
Following clarity-seeking questions from the Pretoria News, the police spokesperson refused to confirm that the incident took place during an ANC meeting.
After being pressed, he admitted that investigators had interviewed witnesses who attended the meeting.
"It is alleged that it was an ANC meeting," he conceded without speaking further, before referring further questions to the ANC.
When contacted for comment on the emerging story, the ANC was unable to speak on the matter.
The party's national spokesperson Pule Mabe referred questions to the province, stating that he was still locked in a national executive committee meeting.
Provincial ANC spokesperson Kenny Morolong did not respond to direct questions but said they would prepare a media statement about the incident.
Pretoria News