KZN ANC investigating stabbing of DA member

Durban – The KwaZulu-Natal ANC is investigating the stabbing and wounding of a DA member, allegedly by one of its own members, after a Freedom Day event in Welbedacht, Chatsworth.

Members of both parties were involved in a confrontation in Ward 70, ANC provincial spokesperson Mdumiseni Ntuli said on Thursday.

ANC members were going door-to-door, encouraging people to vote in the August 3 elections.

"The DA was also doing political work in the same area and a confrontation ensued. We are told that one of our members stabbed a DA member."

Ntuli said this was "un-ANC behavior".

"Even if our members were provoked, that is not how we expect our members to behave. We will be calling the branches to establish exactly what happened and take disciplinary action from there." DA provincial leader Zwakele Mncwango said the incident took place around 14:00, after the party’s Freedom Day rally.

"They did nothing wrong. The only sin they did was to be seen wearing DA T-shirts."

He said, as they were leaving, ANC members had blocked their exit. 

"People wearing ANC T-shirts came out of a taxi and stabbed one of our members in the arm."

Mncwango said he had called ANC eThekwini regional chairperson Zandile Gumede and the police to intervene. He said Gumede was helpful and had promised to investigate.

"We celebrate Freedom Day today because we can join any political party, and if people can still be victimised for their political choices then what kind of freedom are we celebrating?"

KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Major Thulani Zwane said they were investigating a case of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

This article first appeared on News24 – see here.