A 40-year-old ANC ward councillor in the North West has been arrested in connection with two counts of statutory rape. Photo: iStock
The African National Congress (ANC) in the North West has suspended a 40-year-old Matlosana local municipal ward councillor with immediate effect following his arrest in connection with statutory rape of two minors.
The councillor who cannot be named to protect his victims was handcuffed following an investigation by the Klerksdorp Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit.
North West police spokesperson Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said the parents of two 15-year-old boys opened the cases against the man on Saturday.
“The suspect allegedly shared a nude picture of his private parts with the complainant. In the second and separate case, but involving the same suspect, two counts of statutory rapes were laid on Saturday evening, 6 May 2023, by the parents of two boys, both aged 15.
“This after a recorded video of a man seen having sexual intercourse with a boy went viral on social media platforms,” Mokgwabone said.
Mokgwabone has urged the public to refrain from recirculating the video.
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Responding to the incident, ANC North West spokesperson Tumelo Maruping told The Citizen that it is shocked by the actions of its public representative.
“We have also received a number of complaints against the said public representative from various women. We are also aware that one of his victims has opened a case against him.
“Rising from this despicable behaviour, the ANC has suspended the membership of [name withheld] with immediate effect and therefore he will not be allowed to participate in the movement. This suspension will hold until the outcomes of the disciplinary process,” Maruping said.
Maruping said the behaviour of the councillor goes against the ANC’s values and commitment to “building a cohesive society in which all people are treated with respect and dignity”.
“We convey our sympathies to the victims of this act and call on those who have not come forward, to do so. We further apologise to all members of society and assure them that this act goes against our values,” Maruping added.
Meanwhile, the Congress of South African Trade Unions(COSATU) in the North West said it is actions of the councillor is a “disgrace to the movement.”
Provincial secretary Kopano Konopi said has welcomed the arrest of the councillor.
“As Cosatu we view this as disgraceful, an act that must be condemned with the highest level of disdain by society at large. People of this calibre should not be allowed in society.
“The deployment of shoddy characters by the ANC is clearly an indication that the organisation, particularly in the North West, is failing to implement its constitution and policies as guided by its national office,” Konopi said.
The trade union federation has also called on the ANC to summarily dismiss the ward councillor as member.
“Cosatu further calls on the party to conduct thorough vetting of all its public representatives at all levels and also apply the same principle to leadership of the organisation in all its structures. We believe this will assist it rid itself of these dodgy characters who occupy the seats within the organisation,” Konopi added.
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