Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leaders and supporters gathered at Inanda Police Station in Durban on Friday, 18 September, to open a criminal case against Ngizwe Mchunu following an alleged shooting involving party volunteers.
The EFF alleges that Mchunu and his bodyguards fired shots at volunteers who were preparing for the party’s KwaZulu-Natal provincial manifesto launch, scheduled to take place in Durban on Saturday.
Mchunu has denied the shooting allegations and accused EFF supporters of provoking him and his supporters.
EFF takes allegations to police
The party’s leaders and supporters went to Inanda Police Station to pursue the matter through the criminal justice system.
The allegations arise amid tensions between supporters of the EFF and Mchunu ahead of separate events planned in the Inanda area.
The EFF is preparing for its provincial manifesto launch, while Mchunu has announced that his Bhinca Heritage and Maskandi Festival will proceed at Dube Village Sports Field on Saturday, 19 September.
Mchunu denies firing shots
has rejected the EFF’s allegations, maintaining that the party’s supporters provoked his group.
The competing accounts have not yet been resolved through a police investigation or court proceedings.
It has also not been confirmed whether anyone was injured, what charges police have formally registered or whether any arrests have been made in connection with the alleged shooting.
The case comes against the backdrop of previous legal disputes between Mchunu and EFF leader Julius Malema, although those proceedings are separate from Friday’s allegations.
Police confirmation of the case number, the offences under investigation and any further action against those involved is awaited.
