Update: IDP meeting in Midrand ends in chaos

The African National Congress (ANC) has responded to allegations made by the Executive Mayor of Johannesburg, Herman Mashaba on 19 April about the violence which took place during the Integrated Development Planning summit at Midrand High School on 18 April.
Jolidee Matongo, spokesperson for ANC Joburg Region has called Mashaba a liar.

“We want to place it on record that no ANC member incited violence at the meeting. It is the Economic Freedom Fighters and Democratic Alliance members clad in party regalia who started the disruption that ended up in violent attacks on members of the public,” alleged Matongo.

In a statement, Mashaba said, “It has become clear that the ANC in Johannesburg refuses to accept the democratic outcomes of last year’s local government elections and has resorted to violence and intimidation to prevent the new administration from serving the residents of our City.”

Mashaba furthermore condemned what he called ‘disgraceful behaviour’ by ANC councillors and requested that ANC Provincial chairperson, Paul Mashatile, intervene in this matter and bring an end to the despicable violence perpetrated by his members.

Read  Mayor Herman Mashaba wages war on potholes in Midrand and Ivory Park
“The IDP summits are a vital component in our efforts to ensure proper public consolation and cannot accept the that the ANC councillors led a group of about 60 ANC members in placing the lives of an estimated 500 innocent residents at risk. It is clear that the ANC is willing to shed the blood of innocent community members and damage property in its efforts to discredit the democratically elected government in Johannesburg, ” said Mashaba.

The ANC Greater Johannesburg Region has condemned the violence which erupted at the meeting and has decided to mobilise communities to participate in the City’s IDP process across all regions as the Integrated Development Plan is a critical tool in ensuring that the City’s programmes respond to the needs of the citizens.
Several people were injured at the meeting, among them ANC PR councillor Matshidiso Mfikoe who was taken to hospital.
Matongo said it was deplorable for Mashaba to accuse the ANC of disrupting the meeting and accusing the party for not accepting the outcomes of the 2016 Local Government Elections.

The ANC said it is unacceptable for Mashaba to accuse ANC councillors of fueling the violence whereas they tried relentlessly to quell the violence.
Matongo revealed that the ANC would take all steps necessary to defend its councillors even through court if needed.
The ANC has called upon all its members to attend the IDP sessions in large numbers to contribute positively in shaping the future of our city.
“We want to warn Mashaba to stop peddling lies about the ANC and its leaders,” warned Matongo.

Initial Story, 19 April 10.50am

Mayhem broke out at the City of Johannesburg’s Integrated Development Planning (IDP) meeting on 18 April at Midrand High School.

The meeting was a follow-up of the IDP meeting held on 6 April which resulted in a scuffle between community members of different political parties.

The outcome of the first meeting was that a second meeting would be held, but the second attempt of this particular IDP meeting did not progress and instead ended up as a bloodbath.

The Executive Mayor of Johannesburg, Herman Mashaba attended the follow-up meeting with an attempt to address the grievances of the community.

Read A changed city reflected in next IDP

Not long after the meeting started, chairs and water bottles were thrown across the school hall as unruly protests broke out among community members.

Some eyewitnesses alleged that bricks were also among the items thrown around, leaving some individuals injured. One eyewitness said the incidents were scary as she had her children there. According to the eyewitness, she fled out of the hall as soon as she could after she was hit with a water bottle on the head.

Midrand Police Station’s operation’s commander, Captain Lionel Chetty said police were called to assist in restoring calm.

Due to the situation being out of control, the police shot rubber bullets in an attempt to restore calm and disperse the crowds.

The Economic Freedom Fighters’ Chief Whip for Region A, Sepetlele Roseruthe said, “We are not going to allow anyone to collapse our hope for service delivery and therefore, the EFF is ready to die fighting for the poor of our region, this message goes out to the African National Congress (ANC).”

Roseruthe said one of their members sustained injuries from the fights that broke out during the IDP meeting, but this would not make them retreat and stop their fight for service delivery.

Shadow Member of Mayoral Committee for public safety, DA councillor Michael Sun said the meeting had kicked off smoothly until one unknown individual began to disrupt the proceedings and was quickly joined by about five men in confronting other residents.

“The Metro police tried to negotiate and calm the instigators but only to see them disrupt even more and ultimately a fight broke out between residents and the instigators and chairs and water bottles were thrown at individuals,” said Sun.

Sun furthermore said that Metro police officers and Midrand police were called for backup but once the disruptive crowd was thrown out they attempted to get back in and attacked police officers as well as threw stones at the hall building.

Paramedics were called to the scene to assist the injured.

Read Tempers flare at Region A meeting

Mashaba threatened to lay criminal charges against ANC councillors who are being blamed for the mayhem.

He released a statement about the incident stating that, “Last night the ANC violently disrupted the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) summit I was hosting at Midrand High School. A number of individuals were injured following the violence, including an EFF member who had a gash to his head, as well as the chairperson of Ward 112, Andrew Osmond, who was hit with a brick on the back of his head with such force that he was concussed and had to be taken to hospital.

“Disgracefully, this attack on our democracy was led by ANC councillors in the City of Joburg.”

According to Mashaba, the City of Joburg is left with no option but to lay criminal charges against ANC councillors who were leading this assault on the democracy and fueling the violence.

“Charges will include damage to property and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm.”

Ward 112 councillor, Madeleine Hicklin said, “I am horrified by the thuggery that marked last night’s IDP feedback meeting. A disruption of this nature is not only uncalled for but unacceptable, hence, I am pleased to see that the executive mayor is laying criminal charges against the councillors who were intimately involved in the attacks on innocent individuals who came to hear how the City was going to respond to their needs.”

ANC councillor Steven Lamola said he was present and the meeting and the allegation being made against the ANC councillors are false, but he would give more information and a response to the allegations before the end of the day.

Edited by Stacey Woensdregt

What could have sparked the disruptions of the meeting and what does this say about the state of politics in the country? Tweet @MidrandReporter