Pics: DA leader Moodey ‘saves’ ANC members from a beating

Democratic Alliance (DA) Gauteng provincial leader John Moodey, known as the general, on Friday has to step in to apparently save about eight ANC supporters from getting the whipping of their lives from DA supporters during a Freedom Day celebration in Soshanguve, north of Pretoria.

ANC supporters allegedly tried twice to disrupt celebrations on the day, but on the second occasion a mass of blue shirts surrounded them and disarmed them of their rocks, stones and sjamboks. They were on the verge of being beaten up when Moodey stepped in.

Provincial Leader for the DA in Gauteng, John Moodey, is seen holding back an angered DA member that was trying to kick ANC members that were disrupting the DA’s freedom day gathering, 27 April 2018, Soshanguve. Picture: Jacques Nelles

It occurred at the site where Tshwane Mayor Solly Msimanga had built 40 houses from the sale of the mayoral mansion and was about to inspect them with Moodey and DA leader Mmusi Maimane when the group stopped them.

First the group of alleged ANC members tried to stop DA members as they were getting ready early in the morning at the site of the houses; the ANC allegedly claimed it was their turf. To keep the peace, the DA decided to move about 500 metres away, they told The Citizen.

DA supporters are seen waiting for the arrival of DA leader Mmusi Maimane to celebrate Freedom Day, 27 April 2018, Soshanguve. Picture: Jacques Nelles

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The second incident happened when Maimane, after addressing supporters, went to the houses to inspect them and “look at the quality to make sure it is good enough for our people, unlike the poor RDP houses that are being built by the ANC”, Moodey said.

He told the Citizen the new houses were plastered on the inside and the roof structure was of a higher quality. About 28 owners of these houses have already been given their full title deeds.

DA leader Mmusi Maimane and Provincial Leader for the DA in Gauteng, John Moodey, are seen arriving at one of the 40 RDP homes built with the money from the sale of the Mayoral Mansion during a visit to celebrate Freedom Day, 27 April 2018, Soshanguve. Picture: Jacques Nelles

“These guys were allegedly being instigated by an ANC ward councillor to prevent us from having the event, but they failed. They came in a white Nissan bakkie speeding down the road towards us. I thought they were not going to intimidate us; this is also our South Africa that we fought for. Where were these youngsters when the apartheid police beat us almost to death?” Moodey asked.

Some of 40 RDP homes built with the money from the sale of the Mayoral Mansion are seen still under construction, 27 April 2018, Soshanguve. Picture: Jacques Nelles

He said the troublemakers were rude and insulted supporters, and when it became evident his supporters were going to beat them up, he and other leaders stepped in.

“The activists were really gatvol,” Moodey explained.

The police fired two shots and a stun grenade to disperse the crowd.

DA and ANC members flee from a flash bang grenade thrown by police to disperse several ANC members that were trying to disrupt the DA’s freedom day gathering, 27 April 2018, Soshanguve. Picture: Jacques Nelles

But it was Maimane who called for the crowd to calm down and apply discipline, “because we stand for discipline”, he said.

DA leader Mmusi Maimane addresses residents outside one of the 40 RDP homes built with the money from the sale of the Mayoral Mansion during a visit to celebrate Freedom Day, 27 April 2018, Soshanguve. Picture: Jacques Nelles

Moodey said he has to applaud the police for handling the situation with control and calmness, and there were no injuries in the end.

DA leader Mmusi Maimane and Provincial Leader for the DA in Gauteng, John Moodey, are seen arriving at one of the 40 RDP homes built with the money from the sale of the Mayoral Mansion during a visit to celebrate Freedom Day, 27 April 2018, Soshanguve. Picture: Jacques Nelles