We must rally behind Didiza - Ramokgopa

21 June 2016

Pretoria - Tshwane mayor Kgosientso Ramokgopa on Monday called on ANC members to rally behind his replacement, Thoko Didiza.

"I will be at the forefront of leading the campaign of the ANC to retain the city and also for comrade Thoko Didiza to ascend to the leadership,” he told News24 on Monday.

“We are inviting the comrades to be calm and respect the decisions of the ANC and we must all rally behind the decision."

Residents on Monday began protesting against the party’s announcement that Didiza, an ANC national executive committee member, would be its Tshwane mayoral candidate.

She was seen as a neutral choice over the two ANC factions in the capital, one supporting Ramokgopa and the other favouring his deputy, Mapiti Matsena.

Ramokgopa is also the ANC’s regional chairperson.

Buses were set alight and roads were blockaded in several areas around Tshwane. The City of Tshwane withdrew its employees from the areas, fearing for their safety. Police were sent to restore order.

Ramokgopa called on party members to stop the violence and to respect the ANC’s processes and decisions.

This article first appeared on News24, see here.