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ASSAULT charges have been laid against Anglican Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane's two adult stepchildren following an attack on his ?domestic worker at his ?Bishopscourt home.

The 31-year-old woman, who has been working for Ndungane since January 1999, was appa?rently attacked on Wednesday morning last week, allegedly following an altercation with the stepchildren about phone calls and messages.

The worker, who cannot be named at this stage, also took protection orders against the 31-year-old brother and 29-year-old sister, who were living on the same premises. They have since moved, while the domestic wor?ker has also been found alternative accommodation in the interim. A case was opened at the Claremont Police Station at the weekend, but officers are keeping mum about the nature of and circumstances of the attack.

Claremont's Senior Superintendent, Gerda van Niekerk, confirmed the charge of assault, but declined to comment further until she had met with the accused's lawyers today.

Provincial police spokesperson Randall Stoffels said on Monday no further details of the incident were available, but suggested the assault may have been a "slap" in the face. Stoffels said he did not know why the woman received medical treatment as he believed she was not seriously hurt.

The archbishop was away at the time, but was notified by his office after two people who appa?rently witnessed the incident reported it.

Ndungane, who has often spoken out strongly against the abuse of women, said in a press release later that day that he was "deeply distressed" to hear that members of his own family could be implicated in such an incident.

Speaking on behalf of the archbishop yesterday, senior church official Rob Rogerson said no more official statements would be made further than the one released last week, in which Ndungane made it clear that he was prepared for the law to take its course.

Rogerson said the domestic worker was traumatised by the events of the last week and did not wish her name to be made public. He added that he neither knew the worker's personal details, nor did he think they were relevant.

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