ANCYL IN BLOODY BRAWL
EKURHULENI ANC Youth League (ANCYL) regional chairperson Lesiba Rampye allegedly kicked and throttled his comrade Godfrey Mofokeng until he suffered internal bleeding.
This was after a public meeting to nominate an ANC ward councillor turned violent in Katlehong on Sunday.
Rampye ’ s friend, only known as Sipho, allegedly pulled a gun on Mofokeng for accidentally “kicking my expensive suit with your cheap shoes” when he tried to protect himself from the kicks.
The chair and two men, including Sipho, were arrested for common assault on Wednesday and released on warning on the same day.
East Rand police spokesman Soyamo Simawu confirmed the arrests.
“Because it is a common assault case, statements were obtained from them,” said Simawu.
“They were all released on warning, and the case was sent to the senior public prosecutor on Thursday for a decision whether to prosecute.”
Mofokeng, an ANCYL branch chairperson in Ward 63, Katlehong, said he was walking home when he was attacked.
This was after his preferred candidate Eddie Komane had defeated Rampye’s unknown candidate in a public meeting to nominate an ANC ward councillor at a local primary school.
He said Rampye and Sipho’s cars violently screeched to a halt next to him. They then jumped out and attacked him without provocation.
“Lesiba throttled and kicked me several times, while Sipho grabbed my foot and threw me to the ground.”
Mofokeng said as they were beating him, he unwittingly kicked Sipho when attempting to free himself from them.
He said Sipho rushed to his vehicle and grabbed a gun and shouted “do you see what you are kicking with what?”, while dusting off his suit. “He then threatened to shoot me,” he said.
According to Mofokeng, he eventually freed himself and went to open a case at Ramokonopi Police Station.
“The police gave me a form for the nurses to complete. I went to a clinic in Ramokonopi and the nurses told me I was suffering from internal bleeding. My comrades then rushed me to Vosloorus Hospital for treatment.”
Rampye could not be reached for comment.