A Toekomsrus councillor has been arrested this past Sunday for alleged assault.
Captain Appel Ernst, Randfontein Police spokesperson confirmed, “Regarding the incident in Toekomsrus where it is alleged that a ward councillor was involved in a crime, this office can confirm that a 45-year-old man reported a case of assault and damage to property at the Randfontein Police.
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“It is alleged by the complainant that he was assaulted and his glasses were broken by another 45-year-old man. The incident allegedly happened at 6.55pm on 24 April.
“On Sunday, 29 April, the 45-year-old suspect was arrested and he appeared in the Randfontein Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 30 April. The next court date is not available to this office as yet,” Ernst said.
Tshidiso Tlharipe, Rand West City Local Municipality (RWCLM) spokesperson issued a statement regarding the incident.
“The municipality has received the news of the alleged assault by a councillor towards a ward committee member. The latter was elected after the 2016 local government elections.
“Seemingly there was a scheduled ward committee meeting at 6pm on Thursday, 24 April. The meeting took place at the ward councillor’s house where on his arrival at 6.45pm, the ward councillor asked for the committee member to excuse himself as he was no longer a ward committee member.
“The committee member refused as there was no communiqué from the Office of the Council Speaker suggesting that he had been removed as a ward councillor. As the RWCLM, we will be guided by the submission of the letter by the committee member to the Office of the Council Speaker. The letter will enable the Council Speaker to investigate the case and apply rules that guide the conduct of councillors.
“We have not yet received the letter,” Tlharipe said.
The Herald also spoke to the alleged victim who was eager to tell his story. He explained how he was pushed out against the gate and that the councillor broke his glasses. The ward councillor then allegedly said, “F@#$ off, anders gaan ek jou dae baie donker maak (… or else I will see to it that dark days await you)”.
The Herald’s attempts to reach the ward councillor were futile as his phone kept ringing.
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