Woodlands politician fight cancels IEC code of conduct signing

CHAOS broke out at the IEC code of conduct signing ceremony in Woodlands on Monday night.

The event had to be abandoned without political parties signing the pledge that binds them to a free and fair by-election on March 29.

Both the DA and the IFP have blamed the ANC for the chaos, saying ANC supporters did not want to give other candidates the opportunity to deliver their five-minute manifesto speeches after the ANC candidate had delivered hers.

A video showing a woman in full ANC regalia, screaming and shouting in front of DA supporters as a confrontation breaks out has since gone viral on social media.

ANC MP and former Msunduzi deputy mayor Mervyn Dirks is seen pushing DA provincial deputy leader Mergan Chetty, who seems to be trying to speak to DA supporters.

Dirks said he had pushed Chetty trying to get him out of the way to get to someone in the DA crowd who was carrying a poster which had an inappropriate message written on it.

IEC regional supervisor Khulekani Mdadane said the ceremony had to be abandoned for safety reasons.

He said they might consider only calling the party committees and candidates to sign the pledge.

IFP regional leader Thinasonke Ntombela, said the incident had left him wondering if the byelection will be free and fair.