ANC members could face arrest for overcrowding at Mlangeni funeral

Members of the African National Congress’ (ANC) National Executive Committee (NEC) could soon find themselves on the wrong side of the law, as the South African Police Service (SAPS) looks into whether lockdown laws were flouted during the funeral of struggle stalwart Andrew Mlangeni.

The ANC, which was at the forefront of the funeral proceedings on Wednesday 29 July in Soweto, ironically finds itself being scrutinised for possibly violating a law they themselves helped create.

Under the current lockdown regulations, a maximum of 50 people are permitted to attend a funeral gathering.

Did ANC leaders break lockdown laws at Mlangeni funeral?

Police have confirmed that a case of contravention of the Disaster Management Act, which governs the lockdown regulations, had been opened.

“The regulations in terms of the Disaster Management Act 57 of 2002, makes provision for the dispersing of crowds who gather illegally and it also makes provision to hold accountable, a person or persons who convenes or organises illegal gatherings”, said SAPS spokesperson Vishnu Naidoo.

“Therefore with regards to this matter in question, a case of contravention of section 48 (1a) of the Disaster Management Act… will be opened for investigation”, Naidoo said.

However this wasn’t the first time the ANC was accused of disregarding regulations and measures aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus, as on Tuesday, 28 July 2020, senior ANC members were pictured closely surrounding Mlangeni’s corpse after it arrived at the Soweto home.

Pictures of large crowds gathering at the funeral also made the rounds on social media, sparking outrage amongst South Africans who complained about not being allowed to bury family members due to regulations.

Mbalula: ‘It was not planned’

ANC NEC member Fikile Mbalula, who was also at the funeral, has come to the party’s defence saying it was members of the community who spontaneously came to the gathering. Mbalula doubled-down on his defence following word of the SAPS investigation.

“The reality of the matter is that we were less than ten, led by the TG (Treasurer-General) and indeed, when the coffin arrived, people moved forward…People erupted and the marshals tried to push them back”, he told Newzroom Afrika.

“Nonetheless, the ANC didn’t gather people and seek to address them in the environment of coronavirus…The anxiety and spontaneity of the people is a reflection of the kind of person we were bidding farewell”, Mbalula said.