ANC Joburg leader seen assaulting woman suspended

The man has been identified as Thabang Setona, ANC branch secretary in Joburg inner city Zone 12.

The man seen on a video that has gone viral kicking a female woman during a scuffle between anti- and pro-Zuma supporters at Luthuli House has been identified and will face disciplinary action.

He has been suspended after he appeared in an image circulated earlier by Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi, and has been identified as Thabang Setona, ANC branch secretary in Joburg inner city Zone 12.

Jolidee Matongo, regional spokesperson of ANC Joburg region, said in a statement earlier: “The ANC Joburg region has noted with dismay and utter disgust the images and videos circulating [showing Setona] … assaulting a woman outside Luthuli House this afternoon.”

“We strongly condemn any acts of violence against any person, more so women. The ANC greater Joburg does not subscribe to the notion of people violently assaulting those who hold contradicting views. Thabang Setona’s acts do not represent what the ANC stands for, and as a consequence of his revolting behaviour, he will face a disciplinary process hastily,” said Matongo.

ANC communicators manager Khusela Diko also sent a statement in which she said: “The ANC condemns in strongest possible terms the assault of protesters by a group outside the ANC headquarters, Chief Albert Luthuli House, earlier today.”

“Regardless of what some may deem as provocation by the Black First Land First movement, who intended to march to Luthuli House, there will never be any justification for scenes as the ones we witnessed today. Disturbing in the extreme is the assault of the women in so callous and dehumanising a manner,” Diko said.

She further stated the ANC calls upon law enforcement agencies to act without fear or favour to bring the perpetrators to book. She said if perpetrators are found to be members of the ANC, the relevant structures must institute disciplinary proceedings against them.

In 2017, a Joburg inner city leader was convicted of murdering his girlfriend after vicious attack with a sjambok.

WATCH THE VIDEO OF THE INCIDENT BELOW:

#CountryDuty

Thabang must be jailed! @SAPoliceService arrest him now! @MYANC say something now!

https://t.co/Nldpc3piU3

— Tumi Sole (@tumisole) February 5, 2018