Tshwane metro official placed on leave after rape allegations
The official refuted the claims against him saying they were not true, “but equally I want to give space to those who will be involved with the case”.
A high ranking Tshwane official was on Monday placed on interim leave following allegations of attempted rape against him.
Metro mayor Randall Williams on Monday said that he had noted the allegations against the official published in the Sunday World newspaper on Sunday.
“Taking into consideration the serious nature of the allegations, the local City of Tshwane coalition leadership met on Monday to engage on the matter and take a decision on the way forward that is in the best interest of the multiparty coalition,” Williams said.
Williams said the official, who may not be named until he has pleaded in a court of law, was placed on leave pending an investigation by the office of the speaker.
ActionSA spokesperson Lerato Ngobeni said they do not contest placing the official on leave pending investigations.
She said the party frowns upon behaviour such as the allegations made against the person.
“The organisation is undergoing an internal investigation into the allegations. Our senate will be advised by the disciplinary committee on the outcomes of the investigation to make a considered decision on the matter,” Ngobeni said.
Ngobeni said the party became aware of the allegations in late September.
The official when contacted by Rekord said he fully supported the move by the municipality to place him on leave.
“In fact I had suggested such a move and I am glad that it found concurrence with that of my colleagues both in the party and the city,” he said.
“I believe that we need to treat allegations of GBV with utmost sensitivity and support.
“We should all endeavor to make the space around us as plausible as possible for GBV victims to speak out irrespective of the alleged perpetrators standing in society.”
The official refuted the claims against him saying they were not true, “but equally I want to give space to those who will be involved with the case”.
“I committed to cooperate fully with the different bodies that will be involved in testing these allegations.”
The EFF also welcomed the official’s interim leave.
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