(Photo: Rhewal/ Jhua-Nine Wyrley-Birch)
On Wednesday, the ANC strongly condemned the “despicable and barbaric acts” of sexual abuse and rape – allegedly committed by two of its councilors in Matlosana in North West and eMalahleni in Mpumalanga.
Rhewal used to report that a council member of the Matlosana municipality in North-West is on trial on 11 preliminary charges, including statutory rape. Another one ward councillor van Kriel in Mpumalanga was arrested this week after he allegedly broke into a friend’s house and tried to rape his 12-year-old relative.
According to Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri, spokesperson for the ANC, the ruling party expects its members and public representatives to maintain the “highest level of ethical behavior and morality”.
“The abuse and exploitation of women and children is an intolerable insult to the values of the ANC. There is no place in the ANC for abusers who pose as cadres.”
The ANC says it will keep a close eye on the two cases to ensure there are consequences for any offense that “is not considered ANC behaviour”.
“Our courts have the responsibility to send a clear message to all abusers. We call on the criminal justice system to ensure that those found guilty of these barbaric crimes receive the harshest possible punishment,” says Bhengu-Motsiri.
“Those who commit atrocities and murders against women and children must rot in prison.
“Our country cannot allow thugs who have no respect for human dignity and life, there is no place for criminals who abuse, rape and exploit women and children and think that they will get away with it.”
The ANC also calls on its members and the general public to work together with law enforcement to ensure that the scourge of gender-based violence is defeated.
