More than 100 residents gathered at the Thembalethu police station on Human Rights Day, 21 March, to protest against ANC councillor, Thobeka Teyisi. Those present raged against Teyisi’s candidacy for re-election in the municipal elections on 18 May, calling her incompetent.
People in the crowd alleged that councillor Teyisi had done nothing for them over the past five years and that their living conditions are appalling. Irate protesters said that they live in ‘hokkies’ with no electricity or toilets and that their access to running water is insufficient. They demanded that the ANC leadership assign a candidate to the ward that would look after their interests and ensure better service delivery.
Pumeza Muru, the secretary of the ANC branch in ward 9, was shouted down when she tried to state councillor Teyisi’s case, the crowd refusing to let her speak. They hurled abuse at her and accused her of being biased, saying she is councillor Teyisi’s sister and that they live in the same house.
Some community members became threatening and the George Herald journalists had to withdraw from the scene as the situation became increasingly tense.
Colonel Mzimkulu Hardy, the station commissioner of the Thembalethu Police, ordered that the "illegal protest" be moved off the premises. "The issue surrounding the protest is an internal ANC party matter. The protest is not aimed at the police, so this is an inappropriate venue for the protest to be held."
After a while police officers managed to convince the protesters to move the gather-ing outside the station grounds and the situation returned to normal.
In response to the protestors’ allegations against councillor Teyisi, Muru later told the George Herald telephonically that her sister had done a lot during her tenure. "New houses with solar geysers had been built and many flush toilets had been installed. The informal settlement that they are referring to is near Inn Tavern and belongs to the education department. The George Municipality can not install services without due process on land that they do not own, but is trying to make a plan. However, the people refuse to understand this."
She said a local ANC leader with political ambitions is behind the protests. "He is creating confusion amongst the people. He wants to be the ANC candidate for ward 9 and is therefore causing trouble for councillor Teyisi."
Councillor Teyisi refused to comment, only labelling the protestors "confused".
The ANC chairman of the Southern Cape/Klein Karoo branch, Brian Blaauw, said the ANC set clear guidelines for the selection of local government candidates. "These criteria address gender, 60% retention of councillors where possible, generational mix and alliance."
He said all branches were allowed to nominate a minimum of four gender ba-lanced candidates. "The screening committee held public meetings to get a view from the public and recommend names in order of priority. This list was submitted to the regional committee and then to the provincial committee."
According to Blaauw the recommended candidates were endorsed at a national level.
"The actions of these ANC members are strongly condemned by the ANC and we echo the message of secretary general Gwede Mantashe that we will act decisively against any member of the organisation who disrupts ANC processes. We believe this is a small group of members who are unhappy and the ANC will continue to register its candidates today."
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Protestors outside the Thembalethu police station on Monday morning demanded an ANC candidate that would ‘deliver’ if elected. Photo: Lizette da Silva
ARTICLE: ILSE SCHOONRAAD
