With just six days left until South Africans head to the polls, attacks on political party members campaigning are widespread in some parts of the country.
In Tshwane this week, Democratic Alliance (DA) members were allegedly attacked by unknown assailants in Atteridgeville while putting up campaign posters.
Police Minister Bheki Cele condemned the violence committed by members of political parties ahead of the elections, saying political parties should unite and work with police to ensure this year's elections go smoothly.
Cele said this year's elections were more stable than in previous years. “As we look at the situation going forward, we see that it is a little more stable than other elections. I hope that the prosecutors themselves will take the issue of violations of the law seriously, but we are also talking to the political parties themselves, who are united at the national, regional and even local levels to work on election monitoring. We are also asking them to make the job of the police very easy.”
Democratic Alliance (DA) councillor Isaac Mabaso said a group of about 10 people attacked him and his colleague Daniel Mokgob while they were putting up posters, resulting in Mokgob falling from a ladder and injuring his leg.
A case was opened at Atteridgeville Police Station. “They fought us while our colleague Daniel was busy putting up DA posters. Then they threw stones and bottles over my body. I tried to protect myself by grabbing the stepladder with my other hand. The bottle injured my left leg. We filed a lawsuit yesterday and they are investigating the incident. I said.”
“Political tolerance”
Meanwhile, political analyst Professor Bheki Mgomezulu urged political leaders to educate their supporters to curb the culture of political tolerance.
Mngomezulu says political leaders have a duty to educate their supporters. “This is very important because political party leaders have signed a letter of commitment with the IEC in which they confirm that they will interact in a free and fair manner and allow other political parties to do so too. So, it doesn't make sense if we see members of a particular political party being intolerant towards members of other political parties because members of other political parties also have the right to interact. So, if we can curb this situation, we can have free and fair elections and the results will naturally be credible.”
Meanwhile, Cele said law enforcement will protect the upcoming election at all costs.
