Rape accused councillor on ‘special leave’

A Mpumalanga ANC municipal councillor arrested last week for allegedly raping a 16-year-old girl has been placed on special leave by the party until the conclusion of the criminal case against him, the party in the province said yesterday.

ANC spokesperson in the Nkangala region, Sello Matshoga, said that his party viewed the rape case against the councillor and the abuse of women and children in general in a serious light.

“We did not suspend him but placed him on special leave and he will not face an internal disciplinary hearing,” said Matshoga.

“He will not do his work as a councillor and will not interact with the community as an ANC leader until the conclusion of this case.

“We take this case very seriously because it will affect the ANC. We have appointed another PR [proportional representation] councillor in his place.

“If we did not put him on special leave, that would mean we don’t take this case seriously.”

The councillor serves in the Dr JS Moroka local municipality, where the alleged rape took place.

Siyabuswa police spokesperson Captain Zandile Gqawa said a 44-year-old man appeared in the Mdutjana Magistrate’s Court last Thursday, where he was granted R5 000 bail.

“The case was postponed to June 23 for further investigations,” said Gqawa. – ANA

We did not suspend him but placed him on special leave and he will not face an internal disciplinary hearing. Sello Matshoga ANC spokesperson in the Nkangala region