Concerns over level of violence at ANC’s branch general meetings in North West

The African National Congress (ANC) Interim Provincial Committee (IPC) in the North West, has raised concerns about the level of violence that is characterising the party’s branch general meetings.

These meetings are convened in preparation for the provincial elective conference to be held towards the end of May.

The recent violence happened last week at ward 20 in the Madibeng Local Municipality in Brits.

A 38-year-old man was shot and killed while a stray bullet struck a 30-year-old woman.

Coordinator for the ANC IPC, Hlomani Chauke, who visited the family of the deceased, says the violence is a matter of serious concern.

“This ugly head that is rising now of violence that is unleashed at a level of our meetings is quite disappointing. But it’s a call for concern, that we must not sit back and believe all is well. Generally, we are in a process of uniting the province and dealing with corruption and this comes as an attack to the good work that the IPC has done in the province,” explains Chauke.

Meanwhile, political analyst, professor Andre Duvenhage, says instability will increase in the ANC towards the build-up to the party’s elective conferences.

“The levels of political instability in the country is on the increase. It has a lot to do with the build up of the ANC conferences. This is also prominent in the North West, and it is clear that the political environment is going to become more unstable. So, I am expecting higher levels of instability towards the conference of May and maybe even in worst case scenario, derailing of the conference,” explains Duvenhage.