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By Baldwin Ndaba 
10h ago
GAUTENG: A Joburg ANC councilor will appear in Alexandra Magistrates Court on Monday on a rape charge following his arrest on New Year’s Day.
The suspect, who under the Sex Crimes Law cannot be identified until he pleads guilty, must appear in court for the first time and be formally charged following accusations made against him by a Tembisa whistleblower.
The alleged crime apparently occurred when the two spent the night at the suspect’s home in Alexandra. The two separated on December 26, and the suspect went on vacation that day.
The suspect is an executive member of an ANC branch in Zone 13 in Alexandra and was on vacation when one of his fellow branch executives informed him of the impending charges against him.
Following his arrest and court appearance, ANC Zone 13 section secretary Banele Sangcozi asked the suspect to resign as ANC city councilor in Joburg.
“Our last national conference was clear on what political officials should do when they are in a compromised position. We call on the comrade to resign as a councilor and member of the BEC (branch executive committee). If you don’t, we ask the Greater Johannesburg Regional Executive Committee (REC) to immediately suspend it and initiate disciplinary proceedings.
“It is selfish of committed comrades to refuse to step aside and try to drag the organization into the mud. We call on the REC to provide the necessary practical clarity on how to deal with this comrade. Hopefully, the higher structures will find out (about the alleged crime) and act accordingly, ”said Sangcozi.
He said that they would not defend the “accused” in any way “because we believe that the justice system is fair and will allow them a fair and impartial hearing.”
Sangcozi said they would hold a protest march when “the defendant appears (in court) and asks the courts not to grant him bail.”
“The scourge of gender-based violence is a sad reality and everything must be done to protect both the vulnerable and the victims. That is why, as ANC, we will provide support and protection to the alleged victim in this case. We will make sure that you are not intimidated, that you receive all the psychological support you need, and that you testify to the best of your ability.
“The ANC pleads with the members and the Alexandra community to allow the matter to be resolved with the relevant authorities, as the processes have already started.
“Once the judicial procedures are exhausted, the ANC will consider that the corresponding measures be taken,” Sangcozi said.
He said that the party would request that the protection of the alleged victim be prioritized.
The ANC of Greater Joburg has also urged law enforcement authorities to act swiftly against the suspect.
“The ANC refuses to be complicit in the dehumanization and abuse of women. We reject with absolute contempt the greater marginalization and violence that women suffer. A woman’s body is not a playground or a crime scene, ”said Greater Joburg Regional Secretary Dada Morero.
“The ANC supports the alleged victim and calls on law enforcement agencies to ensure that the alleged misogynist faces the full power of the law as we believe in the fairness and impartiality of our country’s judicial system,” he said Morero.
Morero said the ANC would decide on the alleged perpetrator’s status as a public relations adviser and branch leader once he was indicted in court.
Political Bureau
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