Durban protesters wrong to say we ignore their grievances - ANC

6 Junie 2016

Durban – Those involved in violent protests in Durban on Monday could not claim the ANC had ignored their grievances, party officials said.

"There is nobody who is on the streets whose grievances have never been listened to or entertained by the leadership of the ANC, at national and provincial level," ANC spokesperson Mdumiseni Ntuli told reporters.

He said sometimes people were unhappy with the outcomes of party processes.

A man was shot and critically wounded during a violent protest near North Coast Road, Briardene.

eThekwini Metro Police spokesperson Superintendent Sbonelo Mchunu said groups of people had "made serious attempts" to close the N2, the Umgeni Connaught Interchange, and the M19.

"We think that the people are being incited by individuals who were not nominated as councillors for their respective political parties. We are dealing with them," he said.

'People are being mobilised through propaganda'

Ntuli said protesters in ANC T-shirts had sent the message that the party was in turmoil and incapable of resolving internal problems.

"That is not the case. Problems have been resolved and where people are in the streets, it is because they are unhappy with the conclusion and it did not meet their interests."

He said provincial secretary Super Zuma would again go out and listen to disgruntled communities.

"We know that other people are being mobilised through propaganda. They tell them that the councillor is not from your ward, he is from somewhere else, which is purely propaganda to mobilise large groups of people to protest," Ntuli said.

Zuma told reporters that the party had completed its candidate selection processes for the August 3 local government election.

He dismissed claims that the party had not listened to grievances over the selection processes and said some grievances had been listened to more than once."I don’t understand why people are disrupting communities on a matter that concerns the organisation. If they have a problem with the list, then you should have come here [ANC offices] and raise those issues through the correct processes." Cabinet reshuffle Zuma welcomed Police Minister Nathi Nhleko’s announcement that a task team had been formed to investigate political killings around the country.

ANC members should close ranks and rally behind chosen candidates, he said.The party announced earlier that it had axed four MECs - Ntombikayise Sibhidla-Saphetha for sport, arts and culture; Mike Mabuyakhulu for economic development; Peggy Nkonyeni for education; and Cyril Xaba for agriculture and rural development. They would be replaced by Bongi Sithole-Moloi, Sihle Zikalala, Mthandeni Dlungwane, and Themba Mthemba.

Thomas Mxolisi Kaunda would also fill the vacant transport portfolio. KwaZulu-Natal Premier Willies Mchunu, who recently replaced axed premier Senzo Mchunu, had been tasked with reshuffling the cabinet.

The party would announce its provincial manifesto at the Harry Gwala Stadium on June 12. President Jacob Zuma was expected to speak.

This article first appeared on News24, see here.