South Africa ANC official stabbed

An official from South Africa's ruling African National Congress has been stabbed in neck during a party meeting.

Western Cape Provincial Secretary Mcebisi Skwatsha was reported to be in a stable condition in hospital after the attack in the Boland region.

Police in Western Cape said a 30-year-old man had been arrested in connection with the incident.

A spokesperson for the ANC condemned the stabbing. The motivations for the attack were not immediately clear.

The meeting in Worcester at which Mr Skwatsha was stabbed was held following a decision of the ANC in Western Cape to suspend the Boland regional executive, the Cape Times reported.

ANC Secretary General Gwede Mantashe appeared to refer to splits within the party as he condemned the attack.

"For the last six months we've been talking of unity, we are now at a stage where we must instil discipline," he said, according to comments reported by the South African Broadcasting Corporation.