While the community and family members mourned the deaths of 15 patrons at a tavern at the Nomzamo informal settlement in Orlando East, Soweto, a scuffle broke out between members of the EFF and Operation Dudula.
Police intervened and formed a shield to separate the two factions and used a loud hailer to calm the tensions which were apparently caused by the two factions claiming that they were representing the community in Orlando East.
The scuffle broke out while the police were trying to investigate what may have been the motive behind the mass shooting incident. The shooting took place at the Mdlalose tavern in the early hours of Sunday. The death toll has risen to 15 with nine more people still in hospital.
Operation Dudula leader Nhlanhla Lux Dlamini said the issue around who arrived first at the scene is not important. The EFF was represented by its national spokesperson Sinawo Thambo.
The clash between the EFF and Operation Dudula was building up even before they met in Orlando East. In March the EFF accompanied Dobsonville resident Victor Ramerafe to the police station to open a case against Nhlanhla Lux after his house was allegedly ransacked by members of Operation Dudula.
Ramerafe was allegedly accused of selling drugs by the community members which led the Operation Dudula members to ransack his home. Ramerafe denied the allegations and opened a case against Nhlanhla Lux alone even through other members were there. Members of the EFF accompanied Ramerafe to the police station to open the case. Nhlanhla Lux was arrested after his interview with Khaya FM in Parktown on the same week.
