SECUNDA – Ms Thandi Ngoxonono, executive mayor of Govan Mbeki Municipality, has been accused of assaulting a municipal official.
According to Ms Jane Gwebu, she received a message during her tea break that Ms Ngxonono wanted to see her.
She immediately went to the mayor’s office.
Ms Ethel Nkosi, MMC for Planning and Development, was also in the office.
Ms Gwebu alleged that Ms Ngxonono was furious and that she accused her of gossiping about her.
“I told her that the allegations were untrue, but she persistent and swore at me.
“All hell broke lose when she saw me looking at my phone and she instructed me to put the phone down.
“She then instructed Ms Nkosi to leave the office, whereafter she slapped me.”
Ms Ngxonono distanced herself from the allegations.
She said she had called Ms Gwebu to reprimand her regarding work-related matters.
“It is untrue that I slapped her, it is a mere smearing campaign.
“I believe it is within my rights to confront an employee about certain matters at any given time.
“I did not assault her, she is lying.”
Ms Nkosi said she was shocked when she heard that
“I was the first person to speak to her when she left the mayor’s office.
“She didn’t show any signs of being slapped, or had any injuries and she didn’t tell me that she was slapped.
“I further spoke to her about our concerns and she admitted that she had spoken about those to some people.
“I told her Ms Ngxonono is our leader and we all have to respect her.
“This alleged case of assault is new to my ears.”
Police confirmed that a case of assault was opened at the Secunda Police Station.
Brig Leonard Hlathi, the provincial police spokesman, said he will release a statement about the matter at a later stage.
