Man arrested for continuous online harrassment of DA councillor
He was granted bail by Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court and his case has been remanded to May 28
Allegations of child neglect and abuse levelled against a Kempton Park ward councillor are without substance.
Clr Simon Lapping, DA constituency chairman for Lethabong, said the allegations made against Clr Tracey Lourenco by John Coetzee had been thoroughly investigated and dismissed.
“The DA is aware of the allegations of child neglect and abuse being levelled at Clr Tracey Lourenco and her family. John Coetzee is using numerous social media platforms to disseminate these accusations,” Lapping said in a statement issued on Monday.
“All DA public representatives are exposed to scrutiny and are therefore subjected to accusations and vexatious allegations from dissatisfied members of the public on occasion. For the most part, these accusations are harmless and are accepted as constructive criticism.
“However, John Coetzee’s attacks against Clr Lourenco have gone beyond the bounds of what is deemed acceptable.
“John Coetzee has not only attempted to discredit Clr Lourenco, her family members and the DA, he has also attacked Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court, the police and Edenvale Child Welfare. Mr Coetzee has been served with a protection order which prohibits any form of contact with Tracey Lourenco and her family.
“The same protection order prohibits him from putting out any statement concerning them on any social media or electronic platform. He has, on numerous occasions, ignored the protection order and still continues with personal attacks against Clr Lourenco and her family,” Lapping added.
According to him, Coetzee was arrested by Sebenza SAPS on January 11 for the continual contravention of the terms of the protection order. He was granted bail by Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court and his case has been remanded to May 28.
“The DA fully believes that the legal process will follow its course and that justice will be served in this matter. In the meantime, the DA fully supports Clr Lourenco and her family,“ said Lapping.
