ANC councillor and Youth League leader speak out against dropped assault charges

ANC ward 3 councillor Derick Korkie and ANC Youth League (ANCYL) regional task team convener Kagisho Ntshinga expressed their disappointment over the provisional withdrawal of assault charges that were laid against them in the Kimberley magistrate’s court this week. 

The trial involving the alleged assault of a 31-year-old ANCYL branch member during a branch general meeting at the Homevale community hall in Roodepan on October 30 2024, was scheduled to begin on August 19.

Korkie and Ntshinga stated that their reputations had been damaged as part of a ploy to end their political careers. 

“However, they did not succeed, as we are still in our positions. We are not happy that we never had an opportunity to tell the court our version of what really happened. We are public figures; we would never lift a finger against a woman. Our children were ridiculed, and we were publicly shamed. We would gladly welcome it if the charges are reinstated.” 

Korkie added that he would be contesting in the 2026 local government elections. 

“I still have work to do and I must serve my community.” 

Their supporters claimed that the allegations against Korkie and Ntshinga were fabricated.

“If women cry foul over false allegations of gender based violence and femicide (GBVF), they will not be taken seriously when it really happens. This is an abuse of the justice system. If they were really guilty, the ANC leadership would have been told to step aside a long time ago.” 

They pointed out that photographs of the purported injuries that the ANCYL branch member had sustained during the incident that were shared on social media had been downloaded from the Internet.  

Nothing to celebrate

Laura Ezem alleged that the accused assaulted and kicked her. She stated that she sustained serious injuries to her legs, abdomen and private parts. 

“The injuries were in sensitive places, and I instead shared examples of the type of injuries I had suffered.”

She explained that she requested that the charges be provisionally withdrawn as she was currently studying in Durban and was unable to attend the trial. 

“I will request the state to reinstate the charges once I am ready to proceed. They have nothing to celebrate. It does not mean that the accused has been cleared of the charges.” 

Ezem and her supporters indicated that they had been "chased away" from the ANC following the assault, despite being members of good standing. 

National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane said the complainant indicated to the public prosecutor that she was not ready to proceed with the matter as she has a very tight schedule with her studies in Durban.

“She  indicated to the state when she is ready and available to proceed with the matter, and only then will the matter be reinstated or re-enrolled.”