KNYSNA NEWS - Sunday 11 May was an eventful day in Knysna. Several incidents occurred during registration for a by-election in Ward 8 (Concordia), leading to at least five charges of assault and intimidation against municipal big shots.
In unrelated events on the same day, various areas in Nekkies and Concordia were affected by protests about the lack of stable water supply.
The N2 was blocked in both directions between Plettenberg Bay and Knysna for almost an hour until public order police stepped in to assist with opening the highway.
Registration day fracas
Charges and countercharges have been laid following a fracas among ANC factions in Concordia during the registration day for the by-election in Ward 8, due to be held on 25 June.
Multiple charges laid
At least five charges of assault and intimidation have been laid at Knysna police station.
According to the police, coun-tercharges have been laid and it is believed that the number of charges arising from the commotion are between 10 and 20. Social media was awash with photos and videos of the incidents.
Various parties, including the EFF, DA, MK and PA, closed their registration tables and left the area.
Commotion
Southern Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Chris Spies said circumstances surrounding the commotion at a gathering on a premises at Concordia Road near Joodsekamp on Sunday 11 May form part of an ongoing police investigation.
He said several counter- charges of assault with the intent to commit grievous bodily harm, common assault and crimen injuria were laid with the Knysna police.
"Investigation into these cases are at an early stage. The police are not in a position to comment on individuals involved at this stage of the investigation," said Spies.
No arrests have yet been made. ANC provincial leader Khalid Sayed said the party has launched its own investigation on a provincial political level, which is not to be confused with the police investigation.
He was unaware of the details around charges and countercharges and referred Knysna-Plett Herald to the police on those matters.
Assault
The woman who was allegedly assaulted by ANC councillor Mboneli Khumelwana on the day, Yonela Joko, has opened a case of assault with the police. Khumelwana is the Ward 7 councillor and council whip.
He denied the allegations, saying while he was in the area, he was observing the happenings from about 10 metres away. He said a video of the incident showed what had actually happened.
Joko appears to have been caught up in a fight between ANC factions at the registration for the by-election.
Suspension
Former mayor Aubrey Tsengwa is under temporary suspension by the ANC.
The ANC's national disciplinary committee of appeal (NDCA) has written a letter to Tsengwa informing him that the party's provincial executive committee has until 22 May to provide him with a charge sheet.
Tsengwa maintains that, in terms of the ANC constitution, he has done nothing wrong.
‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’
