ANC lifts suspension of BCM councillor
A Buffalo City Metro ANC councillor who was suspended by the party after he allegedly assaulted a woman a week ago, is off the hook — for now.
The woman, known to the Dispatch, withdrew her case against ward 48 councillor Phumezo Jaxa, who was slapped with a suspension and ordered to step aside shortly after the alleged incident.
The party has now lifted the suspension.
Jaxa took to his ward’s social media platforms this week to announce his return.
He referred the Dispatch to the ANC provincial leadership.
“I don’t speak for the ANC, for further queries contact the PSO [provincial secretary’s office],” Jaxa said.
The ANC’S provincial spokesperson, Loyiso Magqashela, confirmed they had decided to lift Jaxa’s suspension.
Magqashela said the matter was referred to the party’s integrity commission.
“When there is nothing that has happened in court, the other route to take is the integrity commission for an explanation of what has happened.
“The integrity commission will inform the ANC of its findings and then we’ll take it from there. That’s the approach we have taken,” he said.
“Otherwise, we are firm on our stance against gender-based violence and femicide, especially those from the ANC found active in that space, which we really condemn.
“We will never backtrack on that. That’s why we are taking a different route now that there’s no court case.
“You may be judged for sanctioning someone on something that doesn’t exist, but in the integrity commission that’s where this is going to be interrogated and the commission will say this is what we have found and the ANC must take this direction.”
Opposition parties had a mixed reaction over the ANC’S decision.
Though they said the ANC had exercised its powers on the matter, concerns were raised over the alleged GBV link.
“In light of the scourge of GBV in the country and the seriousness of these allegations, we aren’t aware on what basis his suspension was lifted,” the DA’S chief whip in the BCM council, Anathi Majeke, said.
“What the ANC decides to do internally is their prerogative.
“But according to the law, even when one withdraws a case of GBV, the SAPS is still obligated to investigate the criminal offence.
“His name will be cleared or not, pending the outcome of the investigation by the SAPS once it has taken its course.
“He still has a case to answer, according to the law.”
Majeke believes the Anc-led government should step up its fight against GBV.
“There have been too many cases, especially against its leaders, that have been lodged alleging GBV, that have been treated with impunity.
“Equally, all cases of GBV in this country are of concern,” she said.
UDM councillor Anele Skoti said the ANC had its own policy rules, which he could not comment on.
“However, as stated in the South African constitution, you are innocent until proven guilty,” he said.
“When it comes to GBV, it’ sa matter that is not tolerated from any angle. Therefore, if the person is proven guilty, let the law take its course.”