The situation is tense in Inanda Township, north-west of Durban in KwaZulu-Natal, where controversial figure Ngizwe Mchunu and a group of his followers clashed with EFF leaders over his attempts to undermine the party’s provincial manifesto launch.
Mchunu, who has publicly vowed to prevent the EFF from holding any major rallies in the province, is staging a rival event in the form of a cultural festival at an adjacent venue, a move that has stirred tensions.
The EFF has since filed criminal charges against Mchunu following a heated confrontation involving EFF national elections coordinator Mcini Tshwaku and KwaZulu-Natal provincial chairperson Mongezi Twala. Police had to separate the two angry groups.
EFF MPL Moipone Tshwaku allegedly wanted Ngizwe Mchunu’s vehicle searched. He reportedly contacted the police commissioner, complaining that police officers were refusing to conduct the search.
“Siyajwayeleka manje. We tried to be diplomatic; it’s clear it does not work. You will know who we are!” posted Tshwaku following the confrontation with Mchunu, which almost came to blows.
He also complained about police’s alleged refusal to search a vehicle in Mchunu’s convoy, which the EFF claims was carrying illegal firearms.
“General, your police are refusing to search a car that’s carrying guns. They are refusing to work and protecting criminals here,” said Tshwaku during a phone call purportedly to KZN Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
Mchunu staged a similar competing event to the EFF’s provincial manifesto launch and insists, as he did then, that he was not provoking the EFF but rather exercising his rights, including the right to move freely and gather with whomever he wished. He also claimed to have been attacked by EFF supporters.
“I was attacked, the windows of my car were pelted, and some of the people I am with were assaulted and stabbed for no reason, so my security had to respond decisively. We are going to have this event and no one will stop it. We refuse to be bullied. Police must arrest the EFF criminals,” said Mchunu.
The EFF rally was expected to be addressed by party leader Julius Malema.