Ward 9 councillor welcomes withdrawal of criminal case against her
Buffalo City Metro’s ward 9 councillor Mendi Wetsetse, who has been on step-aside after a case of assault was opened against her, said she was happy the matter had been withdrawn by the East London magistrate’s court.
Concerned ANC members in the ward wrote to the ANC asking it to implement the stepaside rule against Wetsetse, who faced a case of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, in relation to a complaint levelled against her in 2021.
The charges were withdrawn on September 12.
Ward 9 includes areas like Braelyn’s Ext 8 and 10 and some parts of Amalinda.
In July, ANC provincial secretary Lulama Ngcukayitobi wrote to Wetsetse ordering her to step aside from her duties as ANC ward councillor and chair of the ward’s Steve Tshwete branch.
Wetsetse appeared in court at least twice before her matter was withdrawn, apparently at the decision of the senior prosecutor.
“I feel happy and vindicated. I have respected the ANC throughout the process.
“I have never taken it to court for its decision. The decision of the ANC was clear that I needed to volunteer myself on the stepaside processes pending the finalisation of my case,” Wetsetse told the Dispatch.
But the ANC in the Dr WB Rubusana region said Wetsetse would still have to undergo the processes of the party before being reinstated to her duties.
“She must interact with the provincial secretary about updates on her case.
“It is clearly stated in the terms of condition of her stepaside that she must appraise the provincial secretary monthly in as far progress is concerned,” Dr WB Rubusana ANC regional secretary Antonio Carels said.
Carels said Wetsetse was still on step-aside.
Wetsetse said the case against her was influenced by people who were against her.
“I have been waiting decision of the senior prosecutor on the matter. I always knew this was just propaganda against me.
“The people who have been perpetuating this propaganda are people who were not happy with the fact that their agenda against myself was not widely accepted by residents in the ward.
“I know they might come with another propaganda to discredit me any day.
“I am 37 years old now. How would I slap a man who is 58 years old?” Wetsetse asked.
She said the majority of residents supported her.
“They elected me in the elections last year. A few people in the ward were against my election as ward councillor,” she said.
Xolelwa Mbusi, one of the ANC members who wrote to the ANC asking it to implement the step-aside against Wetsetse, said: “We are not happy with the developments of the court case.
“In fact, Mendi has never respected the step-aside. She has been going on about her duties while on step-aside.”
Carels said he was awaiting communication from Ngcukayitobi regarding Wetsetse’s matter.
“The provincial secretary would have to write and inform me about the matter. She’s not back yet to her duties, according to my understanding.
“She will be brought back through an organisational process,” he said.
Attempts to get comment from Ngcukayitobi were unsuccessful.