Opposition parties call for DA councillor accused of sexual assault to be suspended and arrested. Picture: File
POLICE are investigating a case of sexual assault against a DA councillor at the Theewaterskloof municipality.
According to reports the alleged incident occurred on February 26 and was reported to police by a 34-year-old complainant this week as well to the municipality but the councillor in question is yet to be arrested.
Police spokesperson FC van Wyk confirmed that a case of sexual assault was registered at Villiersdorp SAPS for investigation.
“(The) case was transferred to Caledon FCS for further investigation,” he said.
Speaker of the municipality Derick Appel said his office was informed of the matter on Thursday morning.
“According to our information, although a criminal case was opened with police the councillor in question is yet to be arrested,” he said.
“As council we will follow the normal process for the Code of Conduct for Councillors which involves writing to him to respond to the allegations against him within seven days. We will then conduct our own investigation from which we will determine whether to bring disciplinary proceedings against the councillor.
“We will also call on the MEC (for Local Government Anton Bredell) to suspend the councillor pending the outcome of the case against him.
“It is sad (news) that even as councillors we have such allegations of instances of GBV.”
Both the Patriotic Alliance and the ANC in the province have expressed outrage at the matter.
Former MEC for Community Safety, Albert Fritz was fired from the provincial cabinet on allegations of sexual misconduct against four women recently.
On Thursday, the Patriotic Alliance’s deputy leader Sammy Claassen said according to their information the victim claimed in a statement to police that the councillor allegedly sexually abused and harassed her.
“The DA in the Western Cape has got some serious sexual abuse problems within its leadership ranks,” he said.
“The Patriotic Alliance calls on the DA to take immediate and swift action against this councillor in order to root out the rotten apples.”
The ANC’s Cameron Dugmore said they were outraged by the allegations.
“What this DA councillor is alleged to have done is a betrayal of trust and an extreme example of GBV,” he said.
“I call directly on Premier (Alan) Winde, acting DA provincial leader Tertius Simmers and DA leader John Steenhuisen to immediately suspend this councillor while the investigation is underway.”
The DA’s Political Head in Theewaterskloof Isaac Sileku said: “Public representatives should set a high standard of conduct at all times and the allegations made are viewed in a serious light.”
“We are aware that a case has been opened with the SAPS and we will give full support in the investigation.”
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