An IFP councillor at Alfred Duma Local Municipality remains behind bars after being accused of raping a minor.

The councillor made his first court appearance in the Ezakheni Magistrate’s Court yesterday. He faces two charges: Rape and assault.

It is alleged that he raped a teenage girl on numerous occasions.

It is also alleged that he physically assaulted the girl in November last year, the same day he raped her.

The case was postponed until August 25, when the accused is expected to make a formal bail application. He will remain in custody until his next court appearance.

A large crowd of women from the ANC and IFP picketed outside the court, in separate groups – both in support of the victim, according to their representatives.

The ANC chief whip in Alfred Duma Local Municipality, councillor Lindiwe Kubheka, said they are shocked by what the councillor is accused of. “We are here as the ANC Women’s League to show our support to the victim and her family. We will follow the case up until the end, as such cases are the result of immorality and a decline of humanity within our society.”

Kubheka appealed to other victims out there to come forward. “It is very sad to hear some of the IFP women defending this councillor. It is very insensitive of them to even claim that he was dating the child. Why didn’t they report him, because they knew he was abusing this child?” demanded a fuming Kubheka.

Mamdladla-Gamede from the IFP Women’s Brigade said they were there to support the victim. “We are against what our former councillor has done and the law should take its course. We will never support leaders who cannot lead by example,” said Gamede in an apparent effort to distance the party from the chanting of some of the IFP supporters.

IFP spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa yesterday issued a statement saying that the councillor in question has resigned. “The Inkatha Freedom Party yesterday (August 16) directed an IFP councillor in Alfred Duma Municipality, accused of rape, to tender his resignation immediately; such resignation has been tendered.”