Assault charge part of smear campaign, says mayor

EMBATTLED Kannaland Mayor Magdalena Barry has labelled the latest allegations against her as a smear campaign, after an ANC supporter laid a charge of assault against her.

Ladismith resident Susanna Johannes, 65, alleges Barry struck her face following an altercation last weekend in Zoar.

Johannes said Barry had faced a barrage of questions over service delivery during the meeting.

“She did not like it and argued with me and used crude language. I asked her why work has been given to some while other poor people’s educated children are left unemployed. She slapped me,” said Johannes.

Southern Cape police spokesperson Malcolm Pojies said: “It is alleged that the victim was at an ANC meeting on Sunday, April15, at 5.03pm at Amalienstein, Zoar, when she apparently asked a question of the mayor, but did not get any response. The victim then walked out of the hall.

Outside the hall she was accosted by the suspect, who allegedly slapped her with a cellphone on the right side of her cheek while uttering vulgar language,” said Pojie. He said Ladismith police were investigating a case of common assault. No one has been arrested. ANC Zoar branch secretary Eugene Ludick said he had chaired the meeting, but did not witness the alleged assault.

He said he had followed protocol and reported the mayor’s conduct to the provincial leadership, as well as ANC deputy secretarygeneral Jessie Duarte. No response had been received from the party leadership.

According to the mayor’s spokesperson, Ian Avontuur, the latest allegations against Barry were part of a deliberate smear campaign to establish political instability in the municipality.

He said he was confident that the National Prosecuting Authority would refuse to prosecute Barry.