The ANC in Johannesburg has expressed outrage after one of its councillors was arrested for allegedly raping a woman.
The party lashed out at the 36-year-old Alexandra councillor, who cannot be named because he has not yet been charged, after he was arrested on January 1 for allegedly raping a 28-year-old woman on Boxing Day.
The ANC’s greater Johannesburg region urged its members to lead a protest march outside court today when the man is set to appear.
The ANC’s greater Johannesburg secretary Dada Morero said it was “disgusted and outraged” by the allegations against the councillor. He said the party refuses to be complicit in the dehumanisation and abuse of women.
“A woman’s body is not a playground nor is it a crime scene. The ANC stands with the victim and calls on law enforcement agencies to ensure that the alleged misogynist faces the full might of the law as we believe in the fairness and unbiasedness of the justice system of our country,” Morero said.
Police spokesperson Brig Mathapelo Peters confirmed that the suspect was arrested and will appear in the Alexandra magistrate’s court today.
According to a friend, the councillor allegedly invited the victim to spend Christmas with him and his friends. The victim then told the councillor that she was tired and wanted to rest and the councillor allegedly took her to a flat in the township.
“He took her to the flat and left her there before he returned to hang out with us. We parted when the curfew was up,” the friend said.
A police source said the victim opened a case of rape against the councillor on December 27.
The ANC's Zone 13 secretary Banele Sangcozi urged the councillor to step down after the arrest. “We are planning a protest march for when the accused appears in court in the hope that he is not granted bail.
“We wish to state without any fear of contradiction that on GBV [gender-based violence] matters we believe and side with the victim. Without pronouncing on innocence or guilt, we urge law enforcement agencies to pursue the matter with the seriousness it deserves,” he said.
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