ANC Mpumalanga rescinds reinstatement of rape-accused PEC member

The African National Congress (ANC) in Mpumalanga has withdrawn the reinstatement of a member of its Provincial Executive Committee (PEC), who had been accused of the rape of his daughters. The ANC caught heat for the decision, with many accusing the party of hypocrisy for declaring a war on gender-based violence while at the same time, allowing the man to continue working for the party.

Like many, National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) slammed the ANC, saying it was disgusted that such a move was made, despite the rape charges the man faces.

“It is truly alarming that the governing party can turn a blind eye to allegations of this nature, and consciously deploy a person knowing that he is facing such serious allegations. It is clearly evident that the ANC is only paying lip-service to the issue of Gender Based Violence. We are deeply disturbed by the profound lack of empathy and the careless disregard for the victims and their suffering,”

Numsa spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola

The politician – whose identity is known but has been withheld, to protect the children involved, was ironically reinstated in the same week the 16 Days of activism campaign kicked off. He and his 26-year-old stepson were arrested in September and was granted R20 000 bail after a number of court appearances.

ANC welcomes PEC member back until rape allegation ‘finalised’

The ANC in Mpumalanga had defended its decision to allow the accused to return, despite the allegations.

“The issue of stepping aside it’s still something that is being discussed at a national level, hence as the PEC we decided that we must also allow him to participate in the ANC up until the matter is finalised on how we are going to move forward as an organisation,” party spokesperson Sasekane Manzini had said to Eyewitness News (EWN) at the time.

It is believed that the girls, aged eight, had told a teacher about the rape, who then informed police. This was however not his first run-in with the law as he was also accused of rape in 2012. The charges were later dropped, however it remains to be seen whether he will strike it lucky again.

The case has been postponed to January 2021.