Charges have been laid against an EFF councillor after he allegedly assaulted a Dikgatlong Municipality driver while he was delivering supplies to water-stricken areas in Barkly West.
CHARGES have been laid against an EFF councillor after he allegedly assaulted a Dikgatlong Municipality driver while he was delivering supplies to water-stricken areas in Barkly West.
A fellow municipal worker indicated that the incident took place on March 12 when the councillor and his friends approached the municipal employees.
“The councillor swore at us and instructed us to immediately deliver water to his friend’s house. We informed him that we were following a schedule and would attend to his friend once we were done. We advised him that it was unbecoming of him to act in this manner as he was a public figure. He threatened to hit us and stated that he was not worried about being fired.”
He added that after leaving, they heard a noise from behind the water truck that was hired by the municipality.
“The councillor was fighting with the driver and had pulled him out of the truck while his friends also joined in by assaulting and kicking him. The driver could not fight back as he was overpowered and he was covering his face to prevent injury.
“They took the keys to the vehicle.”
South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) provincial chairperson and Dikgatlong local shop steward London Solomon condemned the incident.
“The behaviour of the councillor was uncalled for as he is an official of the municipality and a public representative. He had the audacity to issue directives, beat employees and confiscate keys from workers who were busy with service delivery.
“It is unacceptable for employees to work in fear of assault or to be exposed to dangerous confrontations from councillors. This is not the first assault incident involving the said councillor.”
The chief financial officer of Dikgatlong Municipality, Chris Mokeng, acknowledged receiving a grievance from one staff member regarding the assault.
“The Office of the Speaker is aware of the matter and the incident will be dealt with based on the standing rules of council. The matter will be escalated to the rules committee of council for deliberation and recommendation to council.”
He added that council had not received a report regarding an alleged previous assault incident involving the councillor.
“However, council will follow up on the matter.”
Mokeng explained that load shedding has had a tremendous impact on the supply of water.
“We have requested Eskom to exempt the water treatment plant from load shedding.”
In an unrelated incident, EFF councillor Lefa Leeuw appeared in the Barkly West Magistrate’s Court on January 20 on two charges of assault.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority, he allegedly assaulted a female cashier and threatened to kill another person.
Leeuw said the charges against him had been withdrawn and directed enquiries to the EFF spokesperson.
EFF provincial spokesperson Obakeng Lechuti was not aware of any assault charges against any EFF councillor.
