ANC councillor faces rape charge

“We (the ANC) will provide support and protection for the alleged victim in this case

A JOHANNESBURG ANC councillor is set to appear in the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court today following his arrest on a rape charge on New Year’s Day.

In terms of the Sexual Offences Act, he cannot be named until he pleads to the charge.

The alleged offence apparently occurred when he and his accuser spent the night at his house in Alexandra. The two parted on December 26, and the executive member of an ANC branch in Alexandra went on holiday when one of his fellow branch executive members informed him about the impending charge.

Following his arrest and pending court appearance, ANC branch secretary Banele Sangcozi called on him to step down as an ANC councillor in the City of Joburg.

“Our last national conference was clear on what political office bearers must do when found in a compromised position. We call on him to step down as a councillor and BEC (branch executive committee) member. If he fails to do that, we call on the greater Johannesburg regional executive committee (REC) to suspend him and institute disciplinary proceedings.

“It is selfish of compromised comrades to refuse to step aside and attempt to drag the organisation into the mud. We call on the REC to provide the required practical clarity in how to deal with this comrade. Hopefully, upper structures will learn (of the alleged offence) and act accordingly,” Sangcozi said, adding that they would hold a protest march when the accused

BANELE SANGCOZI ANC branch secretary

appears in court and call on the court not to grant him bail.

“The scourge of gender-based violence is a sad reality and everything must be done to protect the vulnerable as well as victims. It is for this reason that as the ANC, we will provide support and protection for the alleged victim in this case. We will ensure that she does not get intimidated, gets all the psychological support she needs and testifies to the best of her ability.”

Greater Joburg ANC secretary Dada Morero said the party was outraged to learn about the allegation.

“The ANC refuses to be complicit in the dehumanisation and abuse of women. We reject with absolute contempt the further marginalisation and violence meted out against women. A woman’s body is not a playground nor is it a crime scene. The ANC stands with the victim,” Morero said.

These disputes came as the ANC national executive committee (NEC) is expected to hold its first national executive meeting to discuss the fate of all its members facing criminal charges.