Mayor Carol Phiri accused of assault

A motorcade staged by ANC members in Musina to celebrate their victory in the general elections apparently ended up in a scuffle with Economic Freedom Fighter (EFF) members, where three people were injured.

One of the injured EFF members, Pfano Murudi (28) of Musina, said a taxi driver, Reuben Rammbwa, who was in EFF colours, was giving a signal that he wanted to turn into a street when the mayor of the Musina Local Municipality, Cllr Carol Phiri, allegedly alighted from her car. She allegedly opened the taxi driver's door and told him the EFF members were provoking the ANC.

"She hit the driver, Rammbwa, on the forehead. Rammbwa questioned her why she was doing that. The taxi driver didn't fight, saying he can't fight a woman. The mayor then took a brick and hit Rammbwa again on the arm. As I was moving closer to see, the mayor grabbed me and bit me on the elbow, because I was also wearing an EFF T-shirt. I didn't fight her, but to my surprise, when I arrived at the Musina Police Station to open a case, the cops denied me (the opportunity) and said I must go back to solve the matter with the mayor," she said.

Murudi said she phoned other EFF members for help and a case was later opened. "I questioned them why they didn't arrest her, but they didn't answer me. They forwarded me a case number on Sunday, but there is no name of the investigating officer." According to Murudi, the hatred towards her by the ANC members started when she joined the EFF. "The ANC councillor told me that the Musina Municipality would never give me a job. The ANC ward councillor also bought beer for a group of people and told them to come and sing liberation songs next to my house," she said.

Limpopo Police Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi confirmed that an assault charge had been laid against Mayor Phiri and that she had also opened a counter-charge of crimen injuria and intimidation against EFF members. When asked for comment, Mayor Carol Phiri said that she couldn’t comment because the matter was being handled by the police.

News - Date: 22 May 2014

Kaizer Nengovhela

Kaizer Nengovhela started writing stories for Limpopo Mirror in 2000. Prior to that he had a five year stint at Phala-Phala FM as sports presenter. In 2005 Kaizer received an award from the province's premier as Best Sports Presenter. The same year he was also nominated as Best Sports Reporter by the Makhado Municipality. Kaizer was awarded the Mathatha Tsedu award in 2014.

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