DA ward councillor probed for allegedly calling officer ‘k **** r’ in heated argument
A DA ward councillor at the George Municipality has been accused of using the k-word during a heated telephonic argument with a senior law enforcement officer.
Chief law enforcement officer, Siyasanga Vandala lodged a complaint against councillor Iona Kritzinger, and police have confirmed they are investigating.
Vandala, said when he got the call, an upset Kritzinger ordered him to remove “vagrants” in her property.
“I was at the office and I received a call from an 072 number, and I answered the call, the person just said ‘come and remove these vagrants in my property'. She said apparently I bring vagrants to her property. I asked who this was and she said, 'I'm councillor Kirtzinger'. I thought it was a prank call because no one has my number and I am new in George.”
Vandala said he asked Kritzinger to give him her details so he could assist her.
“I said please calm down, and she said, ‘No you come and remove these vagrants, you f **** n bloody k **** r'. Unfortunately, I was alone in my office when she uttered those words,” he said.
He thereafter reported the matter to police.
Police spokesperson Captain Malcolm Pojie said George SAPS detectives were investigating a case of crimen injuria on allegations that a councillor allegedly used a derogatory racist word on or against the complainant.
“No arrest has been made. The docket will be submitted for a decision to the NPA once investigation is concluded. We are not at liberty to divulge the name of the suspect as no one has been charged nor appeared in court yet,” he said.
The George municipality said it was probing the allegations on instruction of the Speaker of council, Gerrit Pretorius.
Pretorius said: “I am aware of the allegation levelled against the councillor in question as well as the affidavit and supporting affidavit provided in support of the allegation.
The supporting affidavit, however, does not confirm the allegation and the councillor in question also vehemently denies the allegation. The matter is viewed in a very serious light. Our full support and co-operation will be provided to the investigation. It is trusted that the SAPS will conclude its investigation in this regard Asap.”
SACP district secretary Langa Langa called on the DA to immediately suspend Kritzinger.
“The SACP calls on the DA to be decisive against racism by its members and calls on the society of George to stand up against and strongly condemn this incident and any other racial abuse by anyone to rid our city from any form of racist and unacceptable kind of discrimination,” Langa said.
Responding to the SACP statement, Kritzinger said: “I recommend to Mr Langa that he familiarises himself with the status of this matter. False accusations of racism is far too serious a matter to be treated in such cavalier and benighted fashion.”