Sowetan News Online
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Several people were treated for minor injuries after a fight broke out at Sanco's fourth national conference currently taking place at the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein.
The fight occurred when an uninvited group wanted to gate-crash the conference.
Ruth Bhengu, Sanco's deputy president, yesterday confirmed the incident, saying the gatecrashers had been made welcome.
Mlungisi Hlongwane, Sanco president, said that the clashes should be regarded as positive because more members were now attending the conference.
"We see this as enthusiasm as delegates want to come in big numbers. Therefore we have made the necessary arrangements to accommodate everyone," said Hlongwane.
Meanwhile, Hlongwane denied allegations that he supported President Thabo Mbeki over Jacob Zuma for the ANC presidency.
He said the succession debate required the ANC to resolve it itself and added that the Sanco conference was not an appropriate platform for such an issue.