ADeC ward candidate suspended over rape conspiracy with minors

AN African Democratic for Change (ADeC) ward councillor candidate is facing charges of a case of conspiracy to commit rape.

The case, opened at Wentworth SAPS, comes after voice notes were circulated on social media over the weekend.

“Two people were heard conspiring to commit rape on three minors. The docket was transferred to Brighton Beach FCS Unit for further investigation,” said provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Thembeka Mbhele.

It is alleged that the man, known to the SUN, is accused of asking a woman to arrange young children for him to have sexual relations with. In screenshots and voice notes, he and another woman allegedly arranged to have sex with a six, nine and 16-year-old.

In a counter-response to the allegations, he has laid charges of defamation of character and intimidation at Wentworth SAPS. According to the police, it is unknown who he laid charges against.

“The complainant alleged that he received death threats after voice notes were circulating on social media. The matter is still under investigation,” added Mbhele.

ADeC party leader, Visvin Reddy, confirmed that they had suspended their ward 68 candidate pending an internal investigation. When asked for further details regarding the matter he said, “I am a leader at national level and cannot speak on this as it is an eThekwini matter.”

However, Reddy told other news sources that they were unable to get ahold of their ward candidate and so he suspended him. He was quoted saying that even though the outcome of the inquiry is still pending, the implication of sex with children is not tolerated.

“An act of sharing that (voice) note is also a criminal offence. He (the accused) came back and reported that he was trying to get the woman to show him where the children are. He said she is an addict and he wanted to know where the place was to report it to the police,” Reddy told the news source.

A former friend of the accused said they were surprised at the allegations levelled against him because he visited them often. They questioned why the police had not released the woman’s statement.

“He said she is lying. But, why hasn’t the police questioned the complainant about the conversation she had with the accused? What made her have that conversation with him in the first place?” she asked.

The SUN reached out to the accused, however, no responses were received at the time of publication.