Eric Kholwane: Former ANC MP arrested for allegedly raping his daughters

A grotesque development has been reported from Mpumalanga on Monday, after it was revealed former ANC MP Eric Kholwane had been taken in for questioning by police over the alleged rape of his own daughters. The prominent party member, who still plays an active role in the aforementioned province, was arrested earlier this morning.

Who is Eric Kholwane?

Kholwane has served as a Chairperson of the Communications portfolio committee in the fourth Parliament after the 2009 Elections. More recently, he’d worked as Mpumalanga’s MEC of Finance and he still holds a role on party’s provincial PEC team. However, it seems that the ANC has acted quickly to amend this.

The Mpumalanga branch of the ruling party has since shared a statement on the matter, and we’ve learned that the executive structures have suspended his membership and asked the suspect to ‘step aside’ while the investigation is ongoing.

[JUST-IN] Former Mpumalanga MEC of Finance&Economic has been arrested for alleged raping his two daughters.His is also a member of the PEC in the province.He also served as Chairperson of the Communications portfolio committee in the 4th Parliament after 2009 elections.#sabcnews

— #TheLordOfTheMedia (@samkelemaseko) September 28, 2020

Ex-ANC MP arrested for raping daughters in Mpumalanga

The sickening crime that Kholwane is accused of committing spits in the face of a country that is desperately battling against its gender-based violence demons. The ANC has been resolute in its bid to reduce GBV cases, but with one of their own accused of such heinous behaviour, the sincerity of their message is in danger of being severely undermined.

This is certainly not the ex-MP’s first brush with the law, either. Kholwane was charged for rape in 2012, before the case was dropped just a few months later. A lack of evidence was enough to give the Mpumalanga heavyweight a reprieve. But should these new charges stick, it’s safe to say the law will not be so kind to him this time around.

• You can read the statement on Eric Kholwane released by the ANC Mpumalanga on Monday here:

Statement from the ANC Mpumalanga Acting Provincial Secretary – Photo: Supplied