Councillor accused of assault

Ward eight councillor Themba Ntuli has been accused of assault by three women who claim he beat them after they accused him of nepotism last Tuesday.

Zanele Nkonyeni, Nokulunga Nkonyeni and Thabilile Ndlazi sustained bruises to the eye, forehead and inner lower lip and Zanele cannot move her jaw.

One of the women was carrying a friend’s nine-month-old baby who got in the way of a wayward punch and was struck in the face, leaving a visible bruise.

Cases of assault were opened against Ntuli at the Umhlali SAPS and Ntuli laid counter charges of the same against the complainants for hitting him with a spade.

They claim that on Monday October 13 Ntuli received a call from the KwaDukuza municipality about 10 jobs that had become available in his ward. Ntuli allegedly ignored protocol and recruited his friends.

Word spread and a group of about 50 people protested at the community hall on Tuesday, October 14 when the newly appointed employees arrived to pick up work tools. When Ntuli and a group of his friends arrived and saw what was happening he called out Zanele and allegedly beat her up while his friends held her down. When Nokulunga and Ndlazi tried to help, Ntuli and his group allegedly turned on them. The women said they defended themselves by hitting Ntuli with a spade.

According to ANC branch secretary, Ali Angito, vacancies should have been brought to the attention of the ward committee but Ntuli left them out of the loop.

Since the incident, the women claim to have received threats against them made by Ntuli and said they are afraid to leave their homes.

KwaDukuza speaker Thulani Khuluse confirmed he has received written complaints from the three women. He said as the speaker he will advise the council and a special committee will provide the opportunity for the three women and Ntuli to tell their story.

Khuluse said if the special committee finds the councillor in breach of the municipal systems act code of conduct, it can do one of the following: reprimand councillor Ntuli, fine him, issue a formal warning, request the MEC for Cogta to suspend him for a period or request the MEC to remove him from office.

Preva Khumalo region ANC general secretary Muzi Sithole said his party has requested a full report from the office of the chief whip.

“We further insisted that the speaker of council follows up on the matter,” said Sithole.

Sithole said the ANC is concerned about the manner in which the altercation was handled as the party strongly believes that no situation should be resolved through violence.

He said steps will be taken against any member found guilty of breaching the code of conduct as set out in the ANC’s constitution.