FF+ defector suspended

2003-11-16 17:36

Johannesburg - A former high-profile Freedom Front Plus member who recently joined the Democratic Alliance has been suspended after his arrest on a charge of rape, the party said on Sunday.

"The Democratic Alliance was informed that (he) has been arrested and charged with a serious criminal offence.

Accordingly the Provincial Executive investigated such facts as were available, and on Friday immediately suspended (his) membership," the party said in a statement.

"The DA takes this matter very seriously and will only review the suspension once justice has taken its course.

"The DA's membership base is very large and it is impossible to run background checks on all prospective members. Members are accepted on face value.

"If and when information of this kind is brought to our attention it is the policy of the DA to take immediate and appropriate action."

Although some media reports as well as the DA statement have named the politician, the law prohibits the naming of people accused of sexual offences until they have pleaded on the charges in court.

Police spokesperson Superintendent Ronel Otto said the politician was arrested on Friday.

He was scheduled to appear in the Polokwane magistrate's court on Monday on charges including attempted rape and indecent assault.

Otto said charges were laid on Tuesday by a 15-year-old local high school pupil that she was sexually molested from 1997 until December 2002.

- SAPA