ANC shocked at councillor's arrest
2013-03-19 20:15
Johannesburg - The North West ANC expressed shock and
dismay on Tuesday at the arrest of an ANC councillor for allegedly raping a
13-year-old girl.
"The ANC vehemently condemns abuse, rape and torture
of women and children and is, therefore, taken aback by this terrible
development," provincial spokesperson Kenny Morolong said in a statement.
"While we believe in the established legal
jurisprudence of the presumption of innocence until proven guilty, our movement
notes with regret that these allegations have serious implications on the moral
integrity and image of the ANC."
He said the provincial working committee would
"reflect" on the incident and make a decision at an appropriate time.
"We commend the police for their continued strides
in this regard and wish to extend our sympathies to the alleged victim and her
family."
Police spokesperson Thulani Ngubane said the girl and her
friend were walking back from a sports ground on Saturday when the 45-year-old
councillor gave them a lift.
He said he needed to withdraw money at Makapanstad, but
instead drove to Hammanskraal and withdrew the money there.
He then bought the girls food and made a braai.
"It is alleged that after the braai the councillor
promised to take the 13-year-old minor and her friend back home to Sutelong
village in Bedwang, near Mmakau," Ngubane said.
"Allegations further state that while the suspect
was driving he stopped his car and ordered the victim to accompany him to the
nearby bushes, where he raped her."
They both got back into the car afterwards and he
allegedly drove them to a nearby dam, where he raped the 13-year-old girl
again.
"The victim managed to escape at the dam and she
went home and informed her mother," Ngubane said.
The girl's mother reported the incident on Monday.
Ngubane said the councillor was expected to appear in the
Themba Magistrate's Court on Friday.
- SAPA
