Liqaye Posted January 29, 2004 Scores of supporters of a mainly Zulu party carrying their traditional weapons have confronted South African President Thabo Mbeki. Armed police and bodyguards cleared a path for the president after he was surrounded by some 50 opposition supporters with spears and shields. Mr Mbeki is in KwaZulu-Natal province ahead of elections due this year. Tensions are rising between the ruling ANC and the Inkatha Freedom Party, which controls the province. The incident was condemned by the ANC. "These actions are a flagrant violation of the right to freedom of movement which all South Africans, including the President, enjoy," a party statement said. History of clashes Earlier this week, Inkatha leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi accused the ANC of trying to stop them campaigning and attacking its supporters. Mbeki called for all parties not to use violence Thousands of people died in clashes between supporters of the two parties in the province in the 1980s and 1990s, and clashes have broken out again ahead of the forthcoming elections. Mr Mbeki urged both parties not to return to the battles of the past. "During the elections the two parties must agree that they will work in such a way that the people in KwaZulu-Natal are able to vote for any party without fear of being intimidated," he said. At the weekend, a march of Inkatha supporters degenerated into violence leaving several people injured. KwaZulu-Natal is one of the two provinces not controlled by the ANC. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
