Ngizwe Mchunu has withdrawn a case against EFF supporters accused of looting sound equipment from a stage set up for a heritage celebration he was leading in Bhambayi near Inanda north of Durban, on Tuesday.
Mchunu announced the decision while addressing the media outside the Ntuzuma Magistrate’s Court, where EFF supporters were appearing on charges related to the possession of allegedly stolen goods.
The court appearance followed a clash between EFF supporters and Mchunu’s supporters at the Bhambayi Sports Ground in Inanda that drew media attention at the weekend.
EFF supporters had arrived at the venue intending to erect boards promoting the party’s manifesto event, which was scheduled to take place in Inanda on the same day Mchunu was preparing to host his heritage celebration.
Tensions escalated after EFF supporters, including university students and members of the party’s national executive committee, maintained that Mchunu’s event would not take place because, they alleged, he had not followed the required protocols.
Makoti Sibongile Khawula was among the EFF members who arrived as tensions escalated.
Mchunu and his supporters, including cultural activists and representatives of the maskandi music genre, disputed the EFF’s claims and maintained that all the necessary protocols had been followed.
They said the EFF’s decision to come to their venue, about 5km from the site of the party’s planned event, and disrupt preparations was provocative and showed a lack of respect and tolerance.
The confrontation escalated to the point where gunfire was allegedly exchanged. Mchunu’s camp also alleged that some of its members were nearly stabbed by EFF supporters and claimed that some supporters were visibly carrying weapons, including firearms and knives.
Mchunu said there was no need to pursue the case further because he believed doing so would serve little purpose.
He said the accused were young people and questioned why senior EFF leaders had not attended the court proceedings to support them. He suggested that the accused may have been used by others.
Mchunu said that, given the many pressing issues facing the country, he did not believe there was a need to continue pursuing the matter.
Mchunu said his supporters had prevailed and the heritage event had eventually taken place peacefully following police intervention. He said he hoped those involved had learned from the incident.
Mchunu said he would engage the sound equipment service provider and ask that its lawyers withdraw the case against the accused.
He said it would then be up to the court to determine how the matter should proceed, including whether to issue a warning or take other appropriate action.
Mchunu said he hoped the dispute could be resolved so that everyone involved could move on with their lives.
