THE Democratic Alliance (DA) has called for
the African National Congress (ANC) to immediately suspend its Western
Cape leader, Marius Fransman, after reports emerged that he was being
investigated by the South African Police Service (SAPS) for sexual assault.
"The ANC must act against its loose cannon Western Cape leader, or be seen to approve of his alleged sexual assault," DA Western Cape leader Patricia de Lille said on Friday.
The matter is likely to hurt the ANC in the Western Cape as it prepares to do battle with the DA in the upcoming municipal elections.
North West police spokesman Sebata Mokgwabone said on Friday a case had been opened, but no arrests had been made. The case was opened in Rustenburg, where the party is holding its 104th birthday celebrations.
According to News24, ANC national spokesman Zizi Kodwa said the party was aware that a sexual harassment charge had been opened against Mr Fransman.
"We have been in touch with Marius to get an explanation. Of course the law must take its course," said Mr Kodwa.
Ms de Lille said the desperate fight in SA against the scourge of sexual and domestic abuse was tragically undermined when political leaders faced sexual assault charges.
"Fransman’s checkered record shows that he is not fit to hold office in any political party. Fransman’s connections to Western Cape gangsters have showed him to be an unscrupulous politician who takes advantage of people for his own gain," she said.
"Sexual assault charges against Fransman must be investigated by the SAPS, but the ANC must immediately suspend Fransman for this latest scandal around its beleaguered Western Cape leader," said Ms de Lille.
The ANC in the Western Cape is expected to release a statement on the issue later on Friday.
The matter is likely to hurt the ANC in the Western Cape as it prepares to do battle with the DA in the upcoming municipal elections.
North West police spokesman Sebata Mokgwabone said on Friday a case had been opened, but no arrests had been made. The case was opened in Rustenburg, where the party is holding its 104th birthday celebrations.
According to News24, ANC national spokesman Zizi Kodwa said the party was aware that a sexual harassment charge had been opened against Mr Fransman.
"We have been in touch with Marius to get an explanation. Of course the law must take its course," said Mr Kodwa.
Ms de Lille said the desperate fight in SA against the scourge of sexual and domestic abuse was tragically undermined when political leaders faced sexual assault charges.
"Fransman’s checkered record shows that he is not fit to hold office in any political party. Fransman’s connections to Western Cape gangsters have showed him to be an unscrupulous politician who takes advantage of people for his own gain," she said.
"Sexual assault charges against Fransman must be investigated by the SAPS, but the ANC must immediately suspend Fransman for this latest scandal around its beleaguered Western Cape leader," said Ms de Lille.
The ANC in the Western Cape is expected to release a statement on the issue later on Friday.
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