Cope suspends alleged sex pest

2009-01-07 09:30

Beaufort West - The Congress of the People (Cope) has suspended a member accused of sexually abusing young girls in Beaufort West, the party said on Wednesday.

Cope spokesperson Palesa Morudu said the decision to suspend him came after the SABC's current affairs programme Special Assignment broadcast a show on the alleged abuse on Tuesday evening.

"Cope views [his] alleged conduct as depicted in the report as abhorrent... and a crude abuse of power," Morudu said in a statement.

"Cope will immediately suspend [his] membership to the party and also institute a disciplinary process."

The programme showed how the politician, apparently a local organiser for Cope, made videos of himself having sex with under-aged girls, including a 15-year-old.

Special Assignment said one of the girls had laid a charge of statutory rape against him, yet he remains in his job at the SA Social Security Agency.

"We expect the criminal justice system in Beaufort West to proceed with speed and efficiency in dealing with this case," said Morudu.

"If it is indeed true that this case has taken three years to be heard in court, it is a totally unacceptable situation."

She added that the man was just an ordinary member of Cope and that the alleged offences were committed three years ago when he was still a member of the ruling African National Congress.

- SAPA