The Democratic Alliance (DA) says it condemns the desperate and violent attempts of the African National Congress (ANC) to disrupt and collapse council meetings in Theewaterskloof.
In a statement issued by the Democratic Alliance on Thursday, the party described the Theewaterskloof violence as unacceptable.
“This behaviour is unacceptable, and in the case of Theewaterskloof’s inaugural council meeting today, has allegedly led to criminal assault.
“The ANC sought to disrupt the proceedings of the meeting from the start after the party refused to allow the current Municipal Manager to oversee the meeting and then later resorting to violence.
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“ANC councillors were seen turning over tables and allegedly physically attacking an EFF councillor when it became clear that she would not vote in support of them,” the statement reads.
According to the statement, the ANC councillor, Derick Appel, admitted in an interview that members of his party engaged in this behaviour “in the heat of the moment”.
Following this, the DA called for the immediate arrest of all the ANC councillors involved in this abhorrent display of violence and for them to be charged.
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“We also call on the ANC and the Theewaterskloof municipal council to take the necessary disciplinary action against the councillors.
“What happened in Theewaterskloof this morning is an example of the depths that the ANC has sunk to in its attempts to cling to power despite the voters have decided otherwise. The ANC lacks the political maturity to allow accept democratic processes and will not hesitate to resort to undemocratic tactics if it means it can get into power.
“The people of Theewaterskloof have given the DA and the other parties present in the council a mandate to represent them and to ensure that services are delivered to their communities. We will not be intimidated by the ANC’s violence,” the statement concludes.
