Violence, which has become a feature at ANC meetings in Mpumalanga in recent times, has caused fear among party members.
Speaking from his hospital bed in Mbombela, Knowledge Sibandze said he didn't believe he would make it out alive after their meeting on Sunday was disrupted by gun-welding people who are alleged to be ANC members as well, who randomly shot and injured three people.
The incident happened during a general branch meeting at Driekoppies near Malalane. The meeting was held to nominate leaders for the upcoming regional and provincial conferences.
“It's scary to be a member of the ANC lately. When you go to a meeting you risk being beaten, stabbed or shot or even killed. Look at me now. I'm facing the risk of having my leg amputated because the bullets messed it up so badly,” said Sibandze.
“We were busy with our meeting and then some guys from another ward came and forcefully entered the venue and shot at us. We ran for our lives but I could not run far as I fell. I laid on the ground and prayed for those guys not to finish me off after they shot me in the leg,” he said.
Another ANC member, who was running with him, stopped to help Sibandze get up.
“I couldn't stand up and he also got shot on the arm while trying to help me. There's something that needs to be done to stop this bloodshed. The police need to be present at meeting and not take sides,” said Sibandze.
The provincial executive committee of the ANC in Mpumalanga has not been changed since 2018 and the party has failed to hold a provincial general council (PGC) to fill in the positions of chairperson and deputy chairperson. These positions were left vacant after former chairperson David Mabuza took up the deputy president of the party post while his deputy Violet Siwela was sent to the national executive committee.
The party also failed to hold an elective conference in the province for several years owing to fights in meetings. Much later, the Covid-19 outbreak added new challenges to attempts by members to organise and meet.
About five people have died in ANC meetings in Mpumalanga in recent time and scores have been injured from shootings, stabbings and beatings by fellow members.
Prince Manzini was beaten to death during an meeting in KaBokweni near White River in 2019, while Amos Magagula, a member of Umkhonto Wesizwe, was shot dead during a regional conference of the ANC Youth League at Badplaas in 2017.
The five suspects arrested for Manzini's death are still attending court.
ANC member Donald Maphanga, who transported the injured on Sunday, said they always find it difficult to trust one another when going to meetings, especially when they know there are differences in leadership preferences.
“It's just scary. We trying to renew the ANC but it seem to have taken a shape where people take positions as monarch and they do not want to lose power,” said Maphanga.
Acting provincial ANC secretary Lindiwe Ntshalintshali said they condemn violence in their meetings.
“As the PEC (provincial executive) in Mpumalanga we want to confirm that there was an incident at ward 24 at Ehlanzeni. We received a report that the group that came and locked the gate for the meeting not to seat were not even from the ward but from the neighbouring ward 26. Working with the police, the gate was opened and while the meeting continued they heard gun shoots after the throwing of bottles,” said Ntshalintshali.
She said the leadership of the ward told the PEC that those shot were from ward 26, not 24.
Ntshalintshali further said about 70% of the branches have finished preparing and the conference will be held at the end of February.
Police spokesperson Brig Selvy Mohlala said they are investigating three cases of attempted murder and discharge of firearm in a public place.
Nobody has been arrested yet.
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