The ANC in Mpumalanga has expressed shock after a shooting incident during a branch general meeting (BGM) in the Ehlanzeni region in which a party member, Norman Ngwenya, died and another member was injured.
The party condemned the violent behaviour of some members of the ANC in a BGM of the ANC ward 21 in Mbombela subregion in Kanyamazane Community Hall on Sunday.
"We have been informed that Cde Norman Ngwenya died and another comrade was injured during the BGM," said ANC Mpumalanga regional secretary Sibuyi Folas.
In recent months, a number of shooting and violent incidents have taken place across the country during party BGMs.
"We wish to extend our heartfelt condolences to the family that lost a member, and we also wish the person that got injured a speedy recovery. It is so disheartening that we’re getting these disturbing reports of violent conduct by members of the ANC, particularly in ward 22 where a member of the ANC was stabbed during the pre-BGM, in ward 29 where the secretary of the branch was brutally attacked and stabbed on the date of the BGM, and now recently the death of a member in ward 21," said Folas.
Folas appealed to members of the ANC to avoid attending meetings in branches where they did not belong.
"During this very difficult moment, we’re also encouraged by branches which are taking the work of the ANC very seriously, and as Ehlanzeni region, we have now passed the 70% mark in terms of the preliminary verification report. We call upon all members of the ANC in the region to be calm and work towards the renewal of the organisation," Folas said.
He added that the regional executive committee would process a report on the conduct of the few members who were destabilising the work of the organisation in the Mbombela subregion.
Speaking at a media engagement on Tuesday, ANC national spokesperson Pule Mabe said the party condemned acts of violence at BGMs.
"We condemn such despicable behaviour that happened in Kanyamazane. This cannot be a reflection of how our branch meetings are expected to be conducted. When you leave home to go and attend the BGM of the ANC, your family members, neighbours must know that you are willing to come back home in one piece," said Mabe.
The Star