Calls to suspend chief whip after alleged assault
This follows after a case was opened against Masilela and her co-accused on August 29 for allegedly assaulting members of the ruling party.
LYDENBURG – There is a chorus of calls for Thaba Chweu Municipality’s chief whip, Ms Maskososana Masilela, to be suspended. She is the deputy secretary of the Bohlabela ANC regional executive committee.
This follows after a case was opened against Masilela and her co-accused on August 29 for allegedly assaulting members of the ruling party.
According to Mr Christopher Mohlala, one of the victims who was assaulted during the alleged attack, people like her are making the organisation look bad and should be removed from their positions.
“The accused mobilised people to attack us during an ANC brunch meeting which was held at Thusong Centre in Mashishing. The situation was bad, that is why I decided to call the police.
I opened a case against them and after investigations she was detained on
August 31, but released on the same day on a warning,” he said.
Recounting the attack, Mohlala said that she left the meeting after they had had a disagreement and then went out to fetch her brother, mother and friend, who attacked them.
“Before we knew it her brother came out of the car holding a knife and a bottle.
During the scuffle, one of the accused stabbed my mother and the others attacked us. ” The situation is so bad that I had to move out from my home out fear,” he said.
According to Mr Paul Mokgosinyana, he called for the immediate suspension of the deputy secretary. “It is sad for ordinary citizens who respect the ANC to see leaders with criminal cases against them still in their positions. We know that a person is innocent until proven otherwise,” he said.
According to Mr Pompie Ledwaba, the residents of Mashishing have been attacked for expressing their views and it is an ongoing problem. ANC’s Bohlabela region secretary, Mr Mandla Ndlovu, said that as a leader the accused should have remained calm. “The report we received says that she was provoked and she reacted. Even if you are provoked as a leader you are expected not to react,” he said. “We would like to urge other leaders and members within the ANC not to react when provoked,” said Ndlovu.
Masilela briefly appeared in the Lydenburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, September 2 on charges of crimen injuria and intimidation. Her case was postponed to September 21. Her co-accused are still in custody and are facing charging of assault.
