NPA drops sexual assault case against ex-ActionSA leader Abel Tau

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) will reportedly not proceed with the sexual assault case against United Africans Transformation (UAT) leader Abel Tau.

Tau was expelled from ActionSA in November last year following allegations of sexual assault and the misuse of council resources.

The allegations against the former MMC for Human Settlements in Tshwane were levelled by the wife of his friend.

No enrollment

The case has since being withdrawn, TimesLive has reported.

The NPA reportedly took the decision on 11 April after the institution had “evidence in the case docket in conjunction with his representation”.

“After receiving representations and consulting with the complainant, the NPA decided not to enroll the matter,” NPA spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana told the publication.

Tau, who has maintained his innocence, conceded that he kissed the unknown woman after she allegedly approached him.

ALSO READ: Abel Tau won’t return to ActionSA despite legal action, launches new political party

Sunday World previously reported that Tau was facing a police investigation after the his friend’s wife laid a criminal complaint against him, claiming she was sexually assaulted.

It was alleged that the incident took place at Tau’s home in Pretoria, after he was bingeing on alcohol with his friend, who is also an ActionSA member.

According to the publication, when the friend passed out after having too many drinks, Tau called the wife to fetch him.

When she arrived, Tau allegedly made sexual advances on the woman and attempted to force himself on her, but she turned him down.

Legal action

The UAT leader claimed that ActionSA terminated his membership without being found guilty of sexual assault.

As a result, Tau decided to take the legal route to challenge his expulsion from ActionSA although he has no intention of returning to the party.

ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba earlier this year told The Citizen that Tau was fired from the party because they did not want to be associated with a person of his character.

“There’s an official criminal case against him for the allegation of rape for his wife’s friend. He went through the normal disciplinary processes within our party and based on that, as a party we don’t want to be associated with such characters,” he said.

READ MORE: Mashaba denies claims ActionSA and DA concocted rape charges against Tau

Mashaba also poured cold water over Tau’s claim that ActionSA colluded with the Democratic Alliance (DA) to concoct the sexual assault charge against him.

“I can’t respond to fiction… these things are happening in his head. For me, I would request his family to go and look for psychiatric help for him.

“He needs urgent psychiatric treatment because he has things in his head. He is a sick person and something has gone wrong,” Mashaba said.

Nkele Molapo dismissal

Tau’s wife, Nkele Molapo, was also booted from ActionSA last month.

Molapo faced a disciplinary hearing following accusations that she had shared information with her husband.

ActionSA further accused Molapo of “coordinating with some of our councillors who do not support the multi-party coalition’s decision to vote for a new coalition mayor in the City of Tshwane”.

She has challenged her dismissal on the basis that it violates her constitutional rights, including the rights to freedom of association, freedom of expression and speech.

NOW READ: Axed ActionSA councillor Nkele Molapo to challenge party in court