The EFF is all fired up after gangsters torched their truck loaded with election campaign posters in Vrygrond, Muizenberg.
It’s alleged the skollies were angry because a tavern owner, who is also an Economic Freedom Fighters Branch Commander, banned them from his establishment.
The truck was parked in front of Beth’s Tavern in Philemon Street when it was petrol-bombed.
Tavern owner and EFF Branch Commander, Godfrey Tromp, 54, says he left his wallet in the trok and his ID, credit cards and driver’s licence went up in flames.
Tromp says the trouble started on Sunday night, between 9pm and 10pm, when a gang of Junky Funky Kids (JFKs) wanted to visit the tavern.
“I have a strict policy at my tavern
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;mso-fareast-language:
EN-GB;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA">– no gangsters allowed. When I came out and they started arguing, I called Muizenberg police to have them removed. Police didn’t come and just told me: “ bel as dinge gebeur”.
Tromp says the skollies then threw three petrol bombs at the truck but it didn’t catch alight.
“Then just before 11pm a young boy came around the corner and had which looked like a match in his hand, and threw it in the truck, and that sparked the flame, en toe brand als,” he says.
Tromp claims it’s not the first time the JFKs have messed with him.
He explains: “Two weeks ago the boss of the JFKs p***ed in front of my house. When I asked why he would do that, he responded: ‘ Ons is nie bang vir EFF mense nie’.”
Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk says a case of arson is being investigated and no arrests have been made.
Western Cape Chairperson for the EFF, Bernard Joseph, says the incident will not deter them from campaigning in Vrygrond.
He says: “It is indeed worrying, there are many challenges in Vrygrond and that is a reason for concern.
“There are issues that need to be tackled in the community.
“The community is doing an injustice to burn our truck and posters, but we are not going to be afraid to enter the community of Vrygrond.
“We will still be campaigning and we’ll also engage with the community beyond 3 August 2016, as we are the only party that can give a voice to the voiceless.”