DA Youth lays charges against TUT SASCO for stabbing DASO member

The DA Youth last night laid charges with the Polokwane SAPS after one of our members was attacked and stabbed by SASCO members. The attack happened during SRC election vote counting procedures on the Tshwane University of Technology's Polokwane campus.

The DA grew significantly in the election, winning roughly 24% of the votes. Democratic Alliance Students' Organisation (DASO) members were singing and dancing to celebrate the good results when the attack occurred.

A large group of SASCO members approached the DASO members and began beating up one of our successful SRC candidates. Our DASO members fought back in self-defence. In the process one of our members, as well as SASCO members, got stabbed.

The injured DA Youth member is currently recovering from his stab wound. We do not know about the condition of the injured SASCO members.

I am appalled at the thuggery SASCO is willing to employ when they feel threatened politically. We are growing all across South Africa, and especially on campuses, and this is making SASCO panic to the extent that they are engaging in physical violence and intimidation.

We will not allow this lawlessness to continue. We will follow up with the SAPS to make sure that the guilty parties are punished and that the democratic rights of our members and students are protected on all campuses.

Statement issued by Mbali Ntuli, DA Youth Leader, August 21 2013

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