WINDSOR EAST – DA Councillor Laurette van Zijl has laid an assault charge against Shane Maja, the ANC branch chair for Ward 98, after an incident on 15 September, at the Windsor East Recreation Centre.
According to Captain Alex Vermaak of the Linden Police Station, “Councillor Laurette van Zijl opened a case of common assault against Shane Maja, the ANC branch chairman. At the moment, the case is being investigated by the Linden Police.”
In a media statement issued on behalf of City of Joburg DA Caucus Leader councillor Vasco Da Gama strongly condemns this behaviour.
“Maja had no right to violate and assault councillor Van Zijl. This should not have happened. It is a bigger disgrace that a male could manhandle a woman shortly after women’s month, all in the name of politics rivalry. Politics should never at any given time extend to violent behaviour,” Da Gama said.
According to the statement, Van Zijl learned about the meeting after a sergeant of Linden Police Station contacted her, to ask her if she was going to attend the meeting.
She indicated to the sergeant that as the Ward councillor of the area she was not aware of any community meeting happening at the time and place he had mentioned.
Although she is the elected Ward councillor, Van Zijl was informed of the meeting at a very late stage – about 10 minutes before it was due to start – by the Linden Police.
Unbeknown to her, the ANC hijacked the gathering and declared it a closed meeting, which only their members could attend.
“I did not understand why a public meeting was held in secrecy in my ward, with officials from the City attending with mostly
ANC members present, to discuss issues in my Ward without me being invited or involved in any way,” said councillor Van Zijl.
It is understood that Maja approached Van Zijl to speak to her and then suggested that they both go outside.
“As we were walking toward the door, he suddenly grabbed my arm and started shoving me. This happened a few times in front of many witnesses. At one stage he asked me if I wasn’t going to touch him. I realised that he was trying to pick a fight and was purposely provoking me to react, which I did not,” councillor said.
The DA takes a bold stand against woman abuse.
It also wishes to emphasise to the ruling party to keep its hands on issues that will help better the country, instead of using its hands for physical battles which do not resolve the many issues in the City that need a hands-on approach.
Maja was asked for comment but he referred all the questions to Khulekani Ntshangase, spokesperson of the ANC in Ward 98.
Ntshangase responded, “Councillor van Zijl was never assaulted. She came with security men, who had guns and wanted to forcefully remove the homeless people from Windsor East Centre. At that meeting, there were City of Joburg officials, police and her security men, so how can she claim she was assaulted, when she intimidated us?”
The spokesperson added that they are going open a case of intimidation against Van Zijl.
They are also going to have another meeting on 17 September at Windsor East Recreation Centre, to discuss the matter of homeless people who are sleeping on the road, and exposed to rain and criminal elements.
Details: Ward Councillor Laurette Van Zijl 082 330 0593; Ward 98 ANC head of communications Khulekani Ntshangase 079 266 3323.
