Ex-ANC chair off the hook

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has withdrawn sexual assault charges against former ANC Western Cape chairperson Marius Fransman.

NPA national spokesperson Bulelwa Makeke yesterday said there had been informal mediation between the parties.

She said the prosecutor was satisfied the complainant was in full agreement on withdrawing the matter. Had there been a serious sexual offence charge with an attached minimum sentence, such as rape, the matter would never have been considered for withdrawal.

In December 2018, regional NPA spokesperson Phaladi Shuping said they had decided to prosecute Fransman on two charges, crimen injuria and sexual assault.

The complainant, Louisa Wynand, had asked the police to investigate a case of sexual assault in January 2016 while the ANC was holding birthday celebrations in the North West.

The NPA had been in contact with its provincial branches to centralise the case, as some incidents had allegedly taken place in the Western Cape, Shuping said.

The ANC’s national disciplinary committee found Fransman guilty on two counts of misconduct after a disciplinary process, which had also gone to court. The ANC suspended Fransman’s membership for five years.

Fransman denied accusations.

“If it wasn’t serious, I would have thought it was an [April Fools’] joke,” he said at the time, calling the disciplinary hearing a kangaroo court.

At the time, Wynand said she was glad the ANC process had been finalised.

“I am especially relieved for my family, who has been my constant pillar and support structure throughout this time,” she said.

“This is one small step on our road to victory. No woman in this country should go through the abuse I suffered. I am still picking up the pieces, but I am stronger, now, more than ever.”

Wynand’s spokesperson, Gavin Wildschutt-Prins, confirmed the matter between his client and Fransman had been in court yesterday.

“However, I am not in a position to comment on today’s proceedings. I humbly ask that the privacy of my client be respected,” he said yesterday.

Interim provincial committee convener Lerumo Kaloko said in a statement yesterday they did not know the details, terms or conditions of the withdrawal.

“It would not be prudent for us to make authoritative remarks at this stage, understanding that cases that are withdrawn by the NPA and not out of a court process always have a potential of being reinstated,” said Kaloko.

The ANC said Fransman had the right to apply for a withdrawal of the suspension of his membership and reapply to the relevant structures of the organisation. – News24 Wire the