Organisations and activists call on Gauteng ANC to act against councillor accused of rape

On Thursday 30 November Sipho Maselane, an ANC councillor for Winterveldt, will be appearing in the Ga-Rankuwa magistrates court to face multiple criminal charges, including for rapes and robberies committed in 2014 and 2015. The case has been on the court roll for over two years and been postponed numerous times.

TO HAVE YOUR SAY ON WHAT POLITICAL LEADERSHIP SHOULD DO CLICK HERE

#NotOurLeaders

16 Days of Activism to end violence against women

For release: 29 November 2017

ORGANISATIONS AND ACTIVISTS CALL ON GAUTENG ANC TO ACT AGAINST

COUNCILLOR ACCUSED OF RAPE

The Gauteng ANC is inconsistent in how it deals with sexual offences allegedly committed by its members. The Tshwane ANC has expressed its support for Maselane and have neither suspended him nor placed him on special leave. By contrast, Simon Mofokeng, the mayor of Emfuleni who circulated pictures of a 14-year old to a WhatsApp group, was placed on special leave by the province, which is also considering further disciplinary action against him according to newspaper reports. Criminal charges have not yet been formulated against the former mayor.

Acts of Misconduct set out in the ANC Constitution include behaving in a manner which brings, or could bring the ANC into disrepute; and engaging in sexual or physical abuse of women or children, or the abuse of office to obtain sexual or any other undue advantage from members or others. The Constitution allows for the suspension of members when taking into regard the ‘nature and seriousness of the alleged violation or act of misconduct and when considering the impact of the alleged violation or misconduct on the repute of the organisation.’

The Women and Democracy Initiative of the Dullah Omar Institute, Lawyers for Human Rights, the Greater Rape Intervention Project (GRIP), the Masimanyane Women’s Support Centre, the Sexual Violence Research Initiative, the Teddybear Clinic and activists Lisa Vetten, Nazeema Mohammed and Professor Emerita of the University of the Western Cape, Shirley Walters, call on the Gauteng ANC to uphold the ANC’s Constitution and suspend Maselane while completing an internal investigation into his conduct.

For comment contact:

Lisa Vetten, gender violence specialist, 082 822 6725

Vivienne Mentor-Lalu, Women and Democracy Initiative, Dullah Omar Institute, 082 494 0788

Sanja Bornman, Lawyers for Human Rights, 083 522 2933

Further information about #NotOurLeaders may be found at:

MEDIA STORIES RELATED TO MASELANE’S CASE

About the #NotOurLeaders campaign

During this year’s 16 Days of Activism, the Women and Democracy Initiative (WDI) of the Dullah Omar Institute at the University of the Western Cape, Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR), and gender violence specialist, Lisa Vetten, turn the spotlight on political representatives accused of sexual violence and the practices that protect and enable their sexual misconduct and abuse. By contrasting the range of incidents reported with parties’ inconsistent – even non-existent – responses, the campaign aims to demonstrate the chasm between political-speak and political actions on sexual violence.

The campaign emphasises the need for strong political leadership by all political parties and representatives in tackling the pervasive problem of sexual violence in South Africa.

CASE 1: ANC Ward Councillor for Winterveld – Sipho Emmanuel Maselane was released by the #NotOurLeaders Campaign on Sunday 26 November 2017. For more information visit: http://dullahomarinstitute.org.za/women-and-democracy/notourleaders/anc-fails-to-act-against-councillor-accused-of-rape.