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The ANC should be allowed to “take care of the matter” of his reinstatement to its Mpumalanga provincial executive committee (PEC), a man accused of raping two minors, Vice President David Mabuza said.
In September, the Mpumalanga ANC PEC suspended the former MEC after he was arrested for allegedly raping his two daughters. He is currently out on bail of 20,000 rand.
On Wednesday, it emerged that the ANC PEC in Mpumalanga reinstated the alleged rapist, whose bail conditions had also been relaxed to allow him to work for the party. He cannot be identified to protect the identity of the two alleged eight-year-old victims.
Mabuza, the former prime minister of Mpumalanga, answered questions in the National Assembly on Thursday. The final question of the hybrid virtual plenary dealt with gender violence.
ALSO READ: ANC PEC reverses the decision to reinstate the leader accused of rape in Mpumalanga
In one of the follow-up questions, DA MP Nazley Sharif said the ANC continually tried to reclaim the higher ethical and moral ground, “to no avail.”
“In fact, it is absolutely tragic to see the ANC constantly displaying its hypocrisy. GBV is not a game the ANC can play with. So please, Honorable Vice President, why did your ANC reinstate an alleged perpetrator as a member of the PEC in Mpumalanga, who allegedly raped your two daughters? Noting that reinstatement has resulted in the relaxation of his bail conditions.
“Please explain to South African women and girls, right now, who are rape survivors, why your ANC allowed you to return before the law could run its course ignoring the pain of your [alleged] victims “.
Mabuza responded: “Your Honor, I fully understand your concern over the decision of the ANC provincial executive committee to reinstate a member who allegedly raped two young girls.
“Well, it is a matter for the ANC, and you are right to raise your concern. But let the ANC deal with that matter. “
He said that everyone should be very sensitive to the issues that affect women and children.
“Whatever their status in society, it is very important that we respect women, we respect girls,” she said.
“Now, let’s let the ANC deal with that matter. However, your concern is well placed. Thanks a lot.”
FF Plus MP Heloïse Denner said, shaking her head: “Vice President, with all due respect, that response was not good enough.”
He said that President Cyril Ramaphosa said ANC officials accused of corruption and fraud should step aside, and asked whether it should no longer be the case for members accused of gender-based violence. Mabuza said it was the same question.
“I really understand the concern that comes from women. The decision of this PEC is a concern for all. But I say, without really deliberating on that decision, because it is a decision made by an ANC structure, which is a matter for the ANC to take care of. Can we make room for the ANC to deal with that matter?
“But of course, as leaders in the government, um, we are ready to fight against the scourge of gender violence, from our political parties where we come from we must lead by example and we are asking that, that all of us, in the parties Where we come from, we must lead by example.
“For that reason, that is why I say, your concern as members of this house, for that decision of the ANC, is well placed, and it is up to the ANC to deal with that problem. Thanks a lot.”
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