KWAZAKHELE in Port Elizabeth was rocked by protests against the ANC’s candidate list yesterday.
Furious supporters blocked roads with rubbish, rocks and burning tyres. Their anger boiled over on Sunday when the regional task team announced their candidate councillor would be someone they had not chosen.
Blondie Zuma was announced as the candidate for ward 22 to replace outgoing councillor Nosipho Bhelu.
The angry ANC members shut down the busy Enjoli and Salamntu roads, forcing taxis, buses and motorists to use other routes.
An ANC branch leader said: “We want Xabiso Ntuli to be our councillor. Two weeks ago the task team said Xabiso would be our candidate.
“We were happy and celebrated the victory. However, on Sunday they changed their minds and told us Blondie would be our candidate. This is why we’re protesting.
“We’re not alone as there are another five wards in the same situation. We are going to Uitenhage to meet and plan together with other affected wards so we can roll out mass action.”
Gift Ngqondi, ANC spokesman and head of the research unit in the office of the Chief Whip Litho Suka, promised to get back to Daily Sun, claiming he was in a meeting, but failed to return our calls or messages.
- On Friday, ANC Secretary -General Gwede Mantashe said the candidate list wouldn’t be changed.