ANC councilor accused of rape resigns voluntarily to clear his name

An ANC councilor accused of rape has voluntarily resigned.

• A Johannesburg ANC councilor, released on bail for alleged rape, has decided to voluntarily resign his duties with immediate effect.
• The man issued a statement to this effect, maintaining his innocence.
• He said he had made a voluntary decision to apply for a special license to clear his name.

A Johannesburg ANC councilor accused of rape has decided to voluntarily resign his duties with immediate effect.

The man, who cannot be identified until he pleads in the case, appeared in Wynberg Magistrates Court on Monday and was released on R2,000 bail.

In a statement issued by the accused, he said: “I am fully committed to participating in the legal process in order to ensure a free and fair trial and resolution of the very serious matter. I remain a loyal and committed leader of the ANC and I will trust in the judicial process that guarantees my right to a free and fair trial “.

The councilman said he has noted that the ANC does not currently have a policy on accused members deviating from their positions.

READ | ANC councilor accused of rape on bail of R2 000

“However, given the seriousness of such an accusation against me as my firm commitment to end all forms of gender violence and achieve a non-sexist society, I have made the voluntary decision to apply for a special license with effect … to give me the opportunity to clear my name from my daily responsibilities that I perform as a public representative of the ANC, “he said.

The councilor said that he had served the ANC his entire life and that the party had made him “… the man he is today.”

“I am committed to [fighting] all forms of gender violence in our country. On January 3, I was accused of rape of which I pleaded not guilty and was released [on bail] on January 4, “he said.

The councilor is expected to return to court in February.

During their court appearance, members of the ANC split in song with some from the ANC Women’s League who protested outside in support of the victim, while those suspected of being members of the ANC Youth League were in favor of the accused.

The incident has angered ANC leaders in the Johannesburg region.

The region has previously warned its members not to protest outside court wearing party insignia in support of the accused.

Regional President Dada Morero previously said that they will first determine whether those who supported the defendants were members of the ANC and, if so, determine what action to take against them.