Rival says ANC disrupts its rallies

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, April 5 (UPI) -- The Congress of the People has filed a complaint with South African election officials, charging that the African National Congress has disrupted its rallies.

Mbhazima Shilowa, COPE's deputy leader, told the BBC the ANC has brought its own supporters to COPE rallies by bus and has used loudspeakers to drown out COPE speakers.

COPE was founded by supporters of former President Thabo Mbeki, replaced by Jacob Zuma as head of the ANC. The ANC, which has governed South Africa since the first election open to black voters in 1994, is expected to win the general election this month.

Shilowa said the ANC has decided that "any other party will not be allowed to campaign."

COPE filed a formal complaint charging the ANC with intimidation.