Ladysmith KZN: Residents want Speaker to go, amid allegations of rape
“Opening a case against him was enough; I’m speaking out. I am not looking for fame; all I want is justice for myself,” said the young woman
Following a protest on Monday, October 12, that brought Bergville to a standstill, residents have demanded the removal of Okhahlamba Local Municipality Speaker Sthembiso Zulu.
Since the protest, the Speaker position has become near untenable, as he now faces a second police investigation into allegations of rape.
On Thursday, a young woman who accused the Speaker of raping her opened a rape case at Bergville police station. It is believed that this incident happened when she was only 14 years old. The teenager ended up pregnant. In an exclusive interview with the Ladysmith Gazette, the young woman confirmed that she had opened a rape case against the Speaker.
“Opening a case against him was enough; I’m speaking out. I am not looking for fame; all I want is justice for myself,” said the young woman.
In a telephonic interview with the spokesperson for the Provincial Department of Co-operative Governance & Traditional Affairs (Cogta), Mr Senzo Mzila, they made it clear that Cogta does not comment on matters that are being handled in the courts.
Okhahlamba Local Municipality Mayor Mlungisi Dlangisa said that, as the municipality, they only became aware of this matter on Monday, October 12, at the protest organised by the uBumbano Lokuthula Organisation.
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The mayor responded by referring to another case the Speaker had faced, but the charges were dropped when the girl admitted to being his girlfriend. “We are aware that a certain official is currently facing rape allegations. After last week’s protest, we did call the official who is being accused of rape and he said he was dating the girl. This was also confirmed by the police and court, as they are also aware of the case.
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“As of now, I cannot comment any further, as I first need to have a meeting to confirm the name of this official who is being accused of rape. As of now, I am not obliged to name anyone. I got a call from East Coast Radio, asking about an official facing rape charges in Okhahlamba and I told them the same thing.”
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