The ANC in the OR Tambo region has turned to the police and the King Sabata Dalindyebo (KSD) Local Municipality in Mthatha and asked the two entities to provide security during BGMs, which often descend into chaos and fist fights.

In a letter dated 6 June 2025, Vinny Tsitsa, the coordinator of the regional task team, said there is an ongoing and alarming issue involving private security personnel wielding heavy and dangerous firearms to intimidate their members during the meetings.

One letter was addressed to Ngamela Pakade, the Municipal Manager at KSD and the other one was addressed to the SAPS in the district.

Tsitsa specifically used two cases to bolster his request for security. In one case he said at Ward 21, during a meeting held at Khalalo Community Hall in Xhora, private security guards arrived with heavy and dangerous firearms and assaulted their members.

“These individuals not only created an environment of fear but were also involved in physical assaults on ANC members. Their presence severely disrupted the democratic nature of our internal engagements,” he said in the letter.

In another case he said at ward 26, similar private security personnel were present carrying firearms.

“The situation escalated to a point where the Public Order Police had to be called in to remove these armed guards from the venue,” he added.

He added that the growing presence of armed private security at their political meetings is deeply concerning and poses a serious threat to the safety of their members and the democratic integrity of their organizational processes.

He added that they believe that the presence of such security forces at public facilities for political intimidation is unacceptable and requires urgent municipal intervention.

“We therefore request the following: The immediate intervention of the Public Safety Unit in ensuring that no armed private security is allowed

at ANC meetings held in public facilities.

“That appropriate measures be put in place to prevent the intimidation and assault of ANC members at future gatherings.

“We trust that your office will treat this matter with the seriousness it deserves and that you will take urgent steps to protect the safety and rights of community members attending political meetings,” he added in his request to the municipality.

A similar letter was sent to the SAPS in the district.

Tsitsa confirmed to the African Times that they have written the two letters, saying both entities have units that deal with public safety.