Charges of abuse by leaders rock North West EFF

Female members send e-mails asking for redress

The EFF in the North West has been rocked by allegations of abuse, allegedly committed by the party’s top leaders in the province.

Sowetan has seen e-mails sent to the party’s national and provincial officials in which women claim they were victims of assault.

The e-mails were sent to EFF spokesman Mbuyiseni Ndlozi and provincial secretary Papiki Babuile between April and July.

Last week, Sowetan reported that provincial deputy chairman Bunga Ntsangane had allegedly assaulted a junior staff member. He was later charged with assault.

A proportional representation councillor in the Tswaing local municipality, Brenda Kgasu, also claimed that on June 2 she was chased down the street by a male member wielding a panga.

Babuile said: “Kgasu is an active [EFF] member, her matter was investigated and laid to rest.”

He said he had also received assault complaints from Ntsangane and the woman accusing him of assault.

He said he had not received other complaints and requested the women to lodge their complaints with the organisation.

“They must come to the organisation and report the matter and we will charge those who are implicated. For now they are (just) allegations. We must investigate and get to the bottom of those allegations.

“We condemn abuse of any kind. At the centre of it is the abuse of women”

Ndlozi said he only knew about two cases and referred all inquires to the province.

Police spokeswoman Sergeant Kealeboga Moleko said one case of assault had been opened but later withdrawn.