A Hanover Park ward councillor is out on R1 000 bail after his arrest for alleged rape and sexual assault.
The councillor, who cannot be named until he has pleaded in court, was arrested on Friday October 14 and made his first court appearance at Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on Monday October 17. The state did not oppose bail.
When news of his arrest spread on Friday, the community, supported by anti-gender-based violence activists and political parties, marched to Philippi SAPS, where the councillor was being held in the holding cells.
According to the group of protesters, they marched to the police station to make sure that the councillor did not receive preferential treatment while there.
After meeting with the station commander, Colonel Adriaan Saulse, the Philippi community police forum (CPF) acting chairperson, Weldon Cameron, told the crowd that they shared similar concerns. He reminded the group that the councillor, like any other citizen, had rights.
“We feel that because he holds public office, something as serious as this should have never happened. The law must follow its course. All of us have rights, but if the CPF knows about any political interference, or preferential treatment, then we would be the first to blow the whistle, ” Mr Cameron said.
Ashraf Gamieldien the chairperson of the Hanover Park branch of the Cape Coloured Congress said South Africa is littered with gender-based violence (GBV) cases, and he came to speak out against it.
“The councillor is the highest political figure in the community, and being arrested on this serious allegation demonstrates the severity of the case. We didn’t want him to get special privileges. As men we need to speak out against GBV and we need to protect our women, ” Mr Gamieldien said.
Suzette Little, proportional representative (PR) councillor of the Good party, said it was a “sad situation” when a leader was charged with such a serious offence.
“A ward councillor is the moral compass of a community and this is a serious matter,” Ms Little said.
Speaker of the City of Cape Town council, Felicity Purchase, said her office was investigating a possible breach of the Code of Conduct for Councillors. This investigation is separate from the criminal one.
The councillor is expected to make his second court appearance on Tuesday December 6 and as part of the bail conditions was told not to make contact with his accuser.
Gary Hartzenberg, who serves as an executive member of the Philippi CPF, said he was disappointed that the state did not oppose bail.
“For the state not to oppose bail for the alleged sexual offender is a travesty of justice and to be granted bail of R1 000 adds fuel to the fire,” Mr Hartzenberg said.