Mr Bongani Msomi
UDM Secretary General
The members of United Democratic Movement (UDM) are subjected to attacks by a group of people who claim to be members of Black First Land First (BLF) at Tjovitjo informal settlement just outside Orange Farm in Greater Johannesburg.
The first incident took place on the 19th of September,2021 when our members were loud-hailing and encouraging members of the community to go and register during the registration weekend. They were attacked and assaulted by these so-called BLF members and one of our local leaders sustained injuries. He had to open a case of assault at the local Police Station.
The second incident happened few hours ago immediately after the President of the UDM who has been in the area to address the members of the community. UDM members have embarked on a door-to-door campaign when they were attacked by the same group which was involved in the first incident. Some of the group members were in BLF regalia. The group mishandled and assaulted the UDM Provincial Chairperson, and he was rescued by members of SAPS.
Currently, the Provincial Chairperson is opening a case of assault at the local Police Station. The situation in the area is very tense.
The UDM is extremely worried by this political intolerance and it signals that the elections will not be Free and Fair unless the state security agencies and IEC do something to stop this nonsense.
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Issued by: Bongani Msomi
UDM Secretary General
