Beware ANC threats don't lead to authoritarian tendencies, warns expert

Governance expert Gareth Newham unpacks implications of political threats and violence amid calls for President Zuma to resign.

A powerful faction within the ANC is using intimidation and threats, instead of arguments and fact, to try and convince people of their view, says governance expert Gareth Newham.

He says that there is a history ruling parties using such tactics towards becoming authoritarian regimes.

It's a very well-known tactic of authoritarian regimes.

Gareth Newham, head of the governance, crime and justice division of the Institute for Security Studies

When you can can't win the argument based on rationality and facts, you start using violence and intimidation.

Gareth Newham, head of the governance, crime and justice division of the Institute for Security Studies

Newham says South Africans need to keep an eye on the growing trend of political threats among the governing party.

This comes after apparent ANC Youth League members allegedly threatened Save SA organisers calling for President Jacob Zuma to step down last week.

Read: Threat alert led to Maimane donning bulletproof vest at anti-Zuma march

Opposition leader Mmusi Maimane also faced threats and was forced to wear a bulletproof vest to the party-led anti-Zuma march in Johannesburg.

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This article first appeared on CapeTalk : Beware ANC threats don't lead to authoritarian tendencies, warns expert