Mpumalanga ANC accuses members of sowing divisions, as it reinstates rape accused member

The provincial executive committee (PEC) has come under fire for reinstating a rape accused member to the PEC.  

The decision was subsequently reversed after ANC Women’s League president Bathabile Dlamini and deputy secretary-general Jessie Duarte slammed the decision to reinstated the man while the country is commemorating 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.

The suspect, who is out on bail and cannot be named to protect his children, is accused of raping his two eight-year-old daughters. 

The party’s provincial secretary Lindiwe Ntshalintshali says the party made an error by reinstating the man.

“He has formally complained to the chair (of the ANC in the province) that he feels as if he is being treated unfairly. But we told him other members are stepping aside.

“But since then, there was no proper manner on how we handled it and that is the reason he said we are infringing on his rights. That matter was taken back to the structures. The structures said, while we are waiting for the NEC for the first week of December, let him come back and participate.”  

Ntshalintshali says other members used this error of his reinstatement to sow division in the party. 

“The mistake that happened is that I think the leaking was the bit of a challenge, because some of the members they used this platform or that information to suit them.

“But I must confirm he has not attended the PEC meeting and we are calling order also on those that want to sow division within the movement and communities. Also, the insults of the self-appointed spokesperson of him insulting the ANC and the office of PSO to say why is he targeted. We are not targeting anybody, but this matter of GBVF is a very serious matter.”