Armed robbers hit DA office

THE DA in Nelson Mandela Bay has accused members of the ANC of inciting violence against its members, following an armed robbery at the DA office in Kwazakhele on Friday afternoon.

Three men with firearms entered the DA’s Ngqura constituency offices in Njoli Street during a meeting and fired several shots, demanding cellphones and bank cards.

No one was wounded. Police spokesman Constable Mncedi Mbombo confirmed police were investigating a case of armed robbery.

DA Nelson Mandela Bay mayoral candidate Athol Trollip said the incident was specifically targeted at DA members.

“This horrific event, in which countless lives were at serious risk, comes days after ANC MP Lulu Johnson allegedly announced at a funeral service in Port Elizabeth that those present, especially the youth, should go to the DA offices in Njoli Street early in the morning or late at night to deal with the DA,” Trollip said yesterday.

Trollip further alleged Local Government MEC Fikile Xasa and ANC MP Tony Duba said the war had begun to defend the ANC branches, and that the ANC should protect the “elderly” from the DA.

“They also allegedly said ‘the blue T-shirts are not wanted where we live’,” Trollip said.

“The timing of this life-threatening incident is extremely suspicious, given the recent alleged utterances of these ANC public representatives, and prompts tough questions as to whether their alleged comments led to this criminal act.”

Trollip has urged the Electoral Commission to investigate the incident.

ANC regional task team head of organising and campaigns Thobile Mhlahlo dismissed Trollip’s claims as baseless allegations. He said it was purely a criminal matter.

Mhlahlo said the ANC would never adopt any violent policy, which could cause the party more harm than good.